Dabura

Is sitting Franzen for a game such a bad idea? Mind you, I generally don't complain about the guy.

The positive here is that the Wild and Jackets are two very good and mostly healthy teams who are pretty much pushing as hard as they can...and yet we, playing some absolutely godawful hockey and with half our team missing, could've won either or both games. If we can get back to our system and doing the little things right and really minding the details and all that good stuff, we have an ok shot at making the playoffs.

So, with the Caps losing in OT and the Leafs losing in regulation...we're in the second wild card spot now, yes?

Hopefully this game serves as a wake-up call. If so, I'm ok with it. I'd actually consider scratching Franzen and giving Jurco his spot.

You know what'd be cool? If we could learn how to pass.

Half the team's injured and we're holding down a playoff spot (though not for long, perhaps). And we came back from a two-goal deficit. I get what you're saying, but I wouldn't say we can't handle adversity.

I read that as Jesus Christ. Same thing, really.

I would go *** for Gustav Nyquist.

I'm not watching this. Everyone on this team, including the coaching staff, can f*** off. Tell me when they wake up.

Helm to the box. F*** this game.

Negation. 4-on-4.

Got some momentum, controlling the game...Brendan Smith penalty. This team. It doesn't learn.

What is this collapse in front of the net bulls***?

1-0 Jackets. You have two days to prepare for the most important game of the season thus far and this is how you start?

And a stupid Bertuzzi penalty. Good start, boys!

Awesome turnover, picking up where we left off.

Don't care for their third jersey. Basically the same as the Panthers'. Big fan of their regular look, though.

Strader! Sweet. F****** Capitals beating another elite team. wtf.

Have to say, I've got a bad feeling about this game.

Thoughts on trading for Reimer? His career numbers are pretty similar to Howard's. Possible 1A-1B situation, with the potential to bring out the best in both? Or just a really bad idea? I get that Howard's The Guy here. But...

Even so, they shouldn't be doing this well. Their entire fanbase was predicting their demise a couple months ago, and for good reason. Carey Price, I guess.

How do the Habs have 87 points? Bastards.

It was nice to see Legwand drill that guy into the boards in Sunday's game. And Franzen had that monster hit in the 'hawks game. I like to think Glendening is rubbing off on the rest of the troops. Or maybe it's just Kronwall saying, "I'm 5'11. I hit. We should be hitting more. We're certainly not possessing the puck enough to justify not hitting." One thing pretty much every other team in the league does better than us: wearing the opposition down over the course of a game. Making them run around in their zone is part of that, but you also want to make them "pay a price" physically. Do some damage behind their goal line. Crash, bang, punish. Make their defensemen second-guess themselves and look over their shoulders. Rattle them. The Wild did that against us in Sunday's game.

Yup. They created space, not just on the ice but also in the matchups department - especially at home, with the last change. Backes is great. Been a good long while since we've had a guy like him, and I think it's shown. I'd overpay for him because our need is just that great. Which I'm guessing is your reason as well, but I just wanted to say it.

I want a rout. 8-0. Put these guys in their place.