This all comes with a massive thank you to Ben Raby, who generously is providing the material for Inside/Out visitors. Thanks to Team 990′s Rod Francis for procession the audio on Plekanec.
• AUDIO: Bruce Boudreau | Alex Ovechkin | José Theodore | Theo on Plekanec (late in clip) | Mike Green | Mike Knuble
BEN RABY
Washington Capitals Radio/Special to Inside/Out
ARLINGTON, Va. – Bruce Boudreau has confirmed that José Theodore will start Thursday’s series opener. Boudreau had suggested yesterday that he would not reveal his starter until Thursday.
“It’s no secret,” Boudreau said. ”The reason quite frankly why I wasn’t saying anything was just to keep everybody on their toes, but I told José last week, and he knew he was going to be the starter and he’s earned it. It’s quite a different situation than it was [from] last year. He’s been our guy.”
Boudreau added that there will be “no short leash” this year with Theodore, who lasted just one game in last year’s first-round series against the Rangers.
There was also plenty of reaction to comments made yesterday by Canadiens centreman Tomas Plekanec.
Plekanec suggested that the Capitals do not have a dominant goalie, noting that the Canadiens would not be facing Martin Brodeur or Ryan Miller in the series.
“They’re not,” Boudreau said. ”They’re facing José. I’d take José’s record the last 23 games (20-0-3) over those two guys.”
Theodore took a few shots of his own: “Tomas who? Jagr? Oh, Plekanec, OK. I thought you meant Jagr.
“I’m not [Brodeur or Miller], they’re two of the best goalies in the league. [The Canadiens] got the edge, Halak and Price are two solid goalies. I’m just lucky to be part of a good team, you know. That’s it.”
• Nicklas Backstrom missed practice today. Boudreau said that Backstrom is “sick” and is “questionable” for Game 1. There are suggestions that Boudreau may be hiding an injury. Backstrom did not miss a shift in Sunday’s season-finale against Boston and has not missed a game in his three-year career.
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So my kid is just finished playing as the Caps in 2K9 vs. Philly. Got upset because he lost.
I asked, “You lost? How did that happen?”
His response, “Cuz Theodore doesn’t know how to make a save.”
That really puts things into perspective considering most feel Price hasn’t had a great season, yet he’s still got better numbers thatn Theo…
GO HABS GO!!!
I hate to be negative but I hope you are all getting ready to just have fun watching one more week of hockey. Good experience for the team to go in the playoffs. Great for Halak to get some much needed playoff experience. The reality is that the Habs will lose in 5 most probably. Once we are beaten, I hope the people upstairs and the man upstairs makes something happen because this defence needs more speed and talent.
Yet his sv% and gaa against playoff teams in that record says a different story.
GAA 2.91 and SV% .904…………
Someone better tell him he doesnt have 14 games against non playoff team (which he had in that time)
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
23 + 3 = 26
Go Habs Go!
You must say that Theo’s record in his last 23 games is impressive at 23-0-3.
after reading this with my friend, he suggested a straight swap: souray for hamrlik. they want a shut down defenceman.
but for two years at 5.4mill and no room left for other signings? yikes.
So Jose Three-or-more says “Tomas who?” Guess he doesn’t remember who scored the overtime winner last time these two teams played.
B.S., cause Three-or-more just provided additional motivation to Pleks by saying “Tomas who?”
Everyone says the Habs are weak 5 on 5, but that’s actually a misconception. I mean, don’t they actually play mostly a 4 and a half on 5 game, given Cammy and Gionta’s height?
that’s it, now I know we should start Price. :-)
Bet we still only get two goals
Pat Quinn is tellng Souray to get the Hell out of Edmonton and this is the top TSN story…
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Ideal+situation+turned+sour+Souray+Oilers/2901877/story.html
“Save us Turtleneck Man…We need you now more than ever!”
Hartnell is s*cks! Over-rated clown who hits from behind or with his stick …didn’t a Ranger beat him this weekend.
Smokin Aces, believe it or not but this post really made me happy.
YES! Let’s kick some Capital Butt! GO HABS GO!
No offense taken…
My point is that we barely backed into the playoffs…The Caps are all the rage with the hockey pundits and a lot of people feel it is their time to win the Cup…
I was personally suprised we made it this year given the summer buying spree Bob went on that pushed us up to the Cap…Since we are at the Cap limit and all we could do is just make the playoffs yet again…I think the verdict is almost in on what Bob got us this summer…
I don’t know what the odds are right now on the Habs but I still say most people expect us to lose the series…
“Save us Turtleneck Man…We need you now more than ever!”
It isn’t trash talk, it’s stating the obvious.
DEAL.
by 2nd verse of Oh Canada at the start of Game 3. Ovie will leave the game with burst eardrums and Theodore will be reduced to a puddle of blubber, leaving McGuire to wonder how he missed the trade with the Bruins, thinking the Blubber pile is Thomas.
Surprised no one brough this up yet (I might have missed it).
I have a feeling with Ovechkin’s history of injuring other players that he will once again strike in the playoffs like he did last year against the Penguins.
The way SK plays would not surprise me if he was the victim during this series.
Richard L.
I don’t mind a little “trash talk”, what do the Habs have to lose…Any goalie would look good behind the Caps…
He probably meant to say that their goaltending is their weak spot, an observation made by everyone in the league…
“Save us Turtleneck Man…We need you now more than ever!”
YEAH BABY! GO HABS GO! I AM GOING CAPS (CAPITAL LETTERS THAT IS) CRAZY!!!!
Montreal has a system? When did this happen?
Rumour has it the Caps are gonna play 6 skaters and leave the nets empty. It’s all about offense for them.
I don’t think Pleks was meaning to trash talk and like anything else with Pleks this year, he is misquoted yet again. Last time he was bang on though regarding the Price/Halak controversy, and now who knows, maybe Pleks will predict the future based on statistics, meaning while everyone in the world is betting on the Caps, their goal tending record sucks. However they can score to make up for that. So in order for Pleks to be right, he needs to score, along with all the overpirced help that we recently signed this year. What is disturbing is the lack of a credible rookie lineup to support our drive to the cup. I don’t know, what is more distressing is the lack of a plan by Jacques Martin, he is just not sounding like he is ready for the playoffs.
I don’t think Pleks was meaning to trash talk and like anything else with Pleks this year, he is misquoted yet again. Last time he was bang on though regarding the Price/Halak controversy, and now who knows, maybe Pleks will predict the future based on statistics, meaning while everyone in the world is betting on the Caps, their goal tending record sucks. However they can score to make up for that. So in order for Pleks to be right, he needs to score, along with all the overpirced help that we recently signed this year. What is disturbing is the lack of a credible rookie lineup to support our drive to the cup. I don’t know, what is more distressing is the lack of a plan by Jacques Martin, he is just not sounding like he is ready for the playoffs.
Lot of guys did to include Gretzky when he was in LA…
“Save us Turtleneck Man…We need you now more than ever!”
The trash talk by Pleks isn’t helpful. It just provides some additional motivation to Theo and the rest of the Caps. Pleks should concentrate on his own game. He needs to step up his performance in clutch situations. Aside from a couple flashes of brilliance, he was noticeably MIA for the last ten games of the regular season.
How do the flyers agree to getting their butts kicked in a commercial? They get scored on and checked to the ground. And Hartnell is in awe at some caps player jumping over luggage…
Very nice! Something I could see happening at a Montreal airport for sure haha
He’d probably be the second line centre, Backstrom the first. This is all irrelevant however. He’s played great against the Caps this year, as has the team. A shootout and a couple defensive miscues were the only things that prevented a Montreal sweep of the season series
Actually he’d probably be on the second line with Fleischmann and Semin, and likely put up about 90 points. He’s a way better center than Brooks Laich.
Awesome Caps commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayH-zLDu5Ks
“love cannot drown truth, Nefertiti”
One game. And they’ll bring out the cup, canceling the playoffs.
Landsberg is just too much plastic surgery and makeup mixed together…
Not to mention his eyebrows are 1cm thick, and his face is whiter than Casper the ghost…And for some strange reason, he never ever stops moving or twitching…He looks like he’s on something.
“These head movies make my eyes rain” -Simple Jack
Theo won’t be saying Tomas who when he’s digging the puck out from the back of the net
Theodore wasn’t terrible last year, but this year’s Capitals squad was so much better they inflated his wins even further than usual. He was okay down the stretch, but he hit the playoffs, lost the Capitals game 1 to the Rags forcing Boudreau to put in a rookie with 6 games of NHL experience (Familiar script anyone?) But Varlamov was not Dryden and they got booted in Round 2.
This year, Varlamov’s had trouble recovering from a series of injuries and TheOpenDoor is not something that concerns me, he won’t make himself look like Roy in the playoffs, it will be on the Canadiens shooters not to let him look like Roy instead.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
Didn;t Lefleur wear a turtleneck?
Ask any goalie who’s dealt with Turtleneck power on the OT winners he’s scored and set up this season if there’s anything to wory about there Landsberg. What a goof.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
The 6th game gets rained out! Sheesh!
Our little girl is approaching prom, where her shiny turtledress will only compound with her pre-prom comments if she were to fail to impress. She better put out and show her long term worth, or continue foreplaying elesewhere next year.
I suspect that’s Boudreau being ‘politially correct’…after all, what else is he going to say?
“Plekanec? That little girl with 70 ponits? Puh-lease! I’ll send Ovie out to run his turtlenecked ass over in the first game, and that’s it for Pleks…”
I have a funny feeling the Caps have no fear of the girly-man.
What would Plecky be on Team Czech Republic is a better comparable, I think.
Team Czech Republic would kick Capper butt all day long.
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
That doesn’t make sense.
Kibble, c’mon. Let’s be serious here. This is serious business.
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
I can’t see why they would be. After all, let’s be honest, what would Pleks be in Washington? 3rd line?
Pretty sad when our highest scoring forward comes in under one of their defencemen’s totals, and yet, we seem to think we have not onlya chance of competing, but winning.. This won’t be too popular, but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Washington blow Montreal out n 4 very embarrassing games.
It’s ok, you guys can dream of us winning, just don’t get too high on those fumes of whatever you’re inhaling, ok? The hangover risks to be pretty painful in about 12 days or so.
Ya… kinda what i meant by me asking his gaa and sv%… i’m sure theo’s got a ton of 6-5 wins in there… or 7-6 considering the way the caps can score (especially against canes, bolts, panthers)
Give her credit for not racking up the phone-bill though…
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
I like it.
Let’s do this thing and get it done so we can kick some penguin butt now.
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
You know what’s hilarious? Boudreau tries to belittle Plekanec and act as if he is nothing. But on Off the Record yesterday, he was asked
“Tomas Plekanec had a great year for the Habs. But, is it possible though, to be intimidated by guy wearing a turtle neck?” – Landsberg
“Hey, he’s played great against us. He scares us to death” – Boudreau
Our little girl is growing up! Now she’s a yappy teenager.
5 and 1/2
One! Their spirts will be crushed after we take game one!
As the Caps coach mentioned yesterday on Off The Record, they’re scared of our turtleneck wearing beast!
Montreal’s system and personnel today is similar to that of the Rags from 365 days ago. Add Markov and more speed up front and you’ve got yourself a team that will close out a 3-1 series lead.
Dooon’t stop, beleeeeeevang!
Let’s put it another way: Out’ve the four bottom teams in the Eastern playoffs, who has the best chance against the Cappers?
C’mon. Fuhgeddabowdit.
Gonna kick their butts.
C’mon.
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
Yeah, but it’s Theo.
How much MORE do we need to see with our own eyes to convince us that the more the pressure rises, the more his knees start knockin?
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
How many games will the Boys crush the Cappers in?
A) 5 games?
B) 4 games?
Or C) 3 games?
Ridiculously overhyped, call me
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant-Director of St-Habbie’s Hospital for the Blind, Head Physician of Neuroflannelogy Unit, and Occupational Therapist in Habsbros Emergency Ward: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/
Plekanec is right. Theo’s GAA is 32nd in the league (one behind Carey; Halak is 9th), and his SV% is 23rd (two behind Carey; Halak is 4th). The only reason he has a 20-0-3 record is because he plays for the highest-scoring team in the league. In that sense, Theo is also right: “I’m just lucky to be part of a good team, you know. That’s it.”
“love cannot drown truth, Nefertiti”
He might as well be 79-0-3 in his last 82 games…Theodore will feel what only Theodore can feel once this series starts.
If Theo played for a defensive powerhouse that applied the number 1 ingredient to Stanley Cup wins: team defence, then his stellar regular season record would be relevant. The fact he’s playing behind and Ovechkin led team with “Stanley Cup” aspirations already has the ‘F’, ‘A’ and the ‘I’ spelled out.
One ‘L’ early on, and i won’t be surprised to see Varlamov in Montreal.
Hey Boone/Stubbs, you should check out this hilarious take on the Habs finishing 8th and some of the fans’ complacency (a bit of colourful language though):
8th isn’t enough
20-0-3 in the last 23! wow…. gaa and sv% is???
Tomas has won the pre-game show. lol
I as well wish theo the best following what he went through in him home life this past summer. I couldnt imagine how I would have survived that. That being said, Go Habs Go!
I wish Theo the best following his personal harship, but i have a feeling his knees will soften up and his emotions will take over once he hits Bell Centre ice with the atmosphere we all know will be present there. If we’re able to frustrate Washington and win one of the first two in their arena, i consider us favorites to win this series.
As for Washington’s dominant regular season stats, they are all proof that Ovechkin and his team are Euro style hockey gods and not Stanley Cup material. I’ve been cheering for OV to score as much as possible and for his team to accumulate as many points and break as many offensive regular season records as possible for quite some time now. A playoff failure will sting and prove that much more. The fact we’re playing them in the first round makes it quite exciting…
Ovie will only win a Stanley Cup on a team where he is not the go to leader in the clutch. Fighting against a bigger opponent who will stand up and throw haymakers at you can be lethal, but preparing for a solid take down strategy and aiming at that opponent’s knees can be even more dangerous.
Here’s to Habs by decision.
I’m afraid with all these talks regarding what pleks said about caps goalies and theodre trying to be funny by asking “tomas who? “tomas jagr??” thing going on might just give theodore the motivation and actually plays well against us.
I was thinking the same thing
Cammi, Gio and Gomez are still in their primes (especially when the ladder two play together). None of them will have seen a playoff atmosphere like they’re about to feel. Their motivation should, and will be at an all time high. Our system is made to play teams like Washington. I wouldn’t be as optomistic had we earned the right to play NJ or Pittsburgh. But a team for which the concept of team defense is overshadowed by the joy of scoring goals in not a playoff threat.
Habs in 6
it would be great to see Cammy, Benny, Gio, Plecks, Gommer, Ak pump a few past this guy !! We need our scores to start finishing or we are finished
I love Montreal hockey!!!
Wednesday…Gold medal game…USA/Canadiens!!!!
‘Hab’solutely outstanding!!!!!
Gotta love playoff hockey.
One more day for a Habs fan to smile.
Backstrom is “sick” and Ovi gets 0 goals vs Boston’s AHL team last Sunday, and doesn’t win the Rocket Richard trophy….
The ghosts of the Forum are making their way towards the Bell Center guys….
“These head movies make my eyes rain” -Simple Jack
hahahahaahahahaha
“Tomas who? Jagr? Oh, Plekanec, OK. I thought you meant Jagr”
Damn glad to have Thomas Jagr on our team. Who the hell is Thomas Jagr hhaha, oh Theo ur a tool!
Semin got pounded on Sunday by the Bruins, but Backstrom didn’t seem to be playing hurt. It’s 2 days away, I think it’s a bit pre-mature to say he’s questionable.
I like how Theo compliments Price along with Halak! Talk about class, why did we get rid of Theo?
’cause we didn’t have a solid team and needed to rely on our goalies, as we still do.
Jagr? That’s the best Theodore could come up with? Last I checked, Plekanec led his team in scoring, was possibly his team’s MVP, and had a 70-point season while being the team’s number one centre and a key guy on the PK as well. Jagr doesn’t even play in the league any more, and I doubt he’d be a number one line guy even if he did. Good to see that Theo’s still not that bright and that he’s getting sucked into this media battle. Good move by Pleks to try and throw him off even more.
I’d be surprised if backstrom isn’t there come Thursday. As was pointed out, Semin and Green seemed to be the two key players who might have suffered minor injuries against Boston, can’t figure out where Backstrom would have been hurt and if he managed to play through an injury in a meaningless game I’m sure he’ll be back for the playoffs.
Are you serious? Not because he’s my favorite player of all-time, but Jagr is a more than suitable name to use in that situation…
Jagr was one of the greatest players to ever play the sport of hockey. 70 points for Jagr was a guarantee by Christmas every year, not after 82 games…
“These head movies make my eyes rain” -Simple Jack
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=317881
I think it’s not a bad thing that Pleks made these comments.
Halak is at his best when he gets pummeled with shots. If this makes Washington want to shoot more, fine with me.
My NHL 10 sim with all current rosters had us losing in 7 in a ’93 rematch with the Kings in the Stanley Cup finals.
We beat out Washington in 5, beat Buffalo in 7, beat Pitts in 7 and lost game 7 to LA.
Gio had 17 goals and Pouliot had 19!