R1 - Series Thread - Capitals (M1) vs Blue Jackets (WC1)

[AC]

Holtby has been struggling, there's a legitimate goaltender controversy in Washington the last little while.

Columbus in 7.

[TheScorpion]

Let's go Blue Jackets! Lots to like about this team, they're my playoff bandwagon pick.

[keenan87]

Capitals in 5

[Philly06Cup]

Betting line has Capitals as a really small favorite (-130 to +110). The shine has really worn off Washington this year. Wouldn't be all the surprising if CBJ won.

[jayswin]

I'm hoping for the Blue Jackets. As a Flames fan I want the most great coaches available this off season as possible. We're going to get turned down more than once (if our owners are even willing to pay an elite coach salary).

[transplant99]

Caps in 6

[Timbo]

Caps in 5

[activeStick]

Caps win but head into round 2 with a goaltending controversy and Grubrauer as their starter in Game 1 of round 2.

Caps in 7.

[Erick Estrada]

You have a perennial playoff disappointment vs an organization that has never won a playoff series. I'm taking the Capitals in 6 because they actually have no problems beating every team but the Rangers or Penguins in the playoffs.

[Otto-matic]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/...-one-1.4612999

Philipp Grubauer will start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Washington Capitals over Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Braden Holtby.

Grubauer started 10 of the final 16 games of the regular season since Holtby was given time off to reset himself, going 7-3-0 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .925 save percentage to earn the job.

Bold move Cotton.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/...-one-1.4612999



Bold move Cotton.

Bold for sure but the coach's job is probably on the line and it's refreshing to see a coach take a chance on changing things up.

[Magnum PEI]

Didn't realize Ovechkin has only skipped the World Championships twice in his career. He's getting roasted pretty hard on social media because of it.

[GreenLantern2814]

Bobrovsky could take this Jackets team all the way.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Bobrovsky could take this Jackets team all the way.

He should have had the game winner but he has been very good.

[CroFlames]

Bob and Panarin have been the best players in that series.

Holtby making it painfully obvious it was a mistake to sit him the first two games.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Bob and Panarin have been the best players in that series.

Holtby making it painfully obvious it was a mistake to sit him the first two games.

This could possibly be their downfall. Bet the Caps lose because they had Grubauer in for those first two games.

This has been a fun series. Seeing OT games are fun.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

This could possibly be their downfall. Bet the Caps lose because they had Grubauer in for those first two games.

This has been a fun series. Seeing OT games are fun.

I think the bigger blame is taking too many dumb penalties and blowing 2 goal leads. I wouldn't blame goaltending.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I think the bigger blame is taking too many dumb penalties and blowing 2 goal leads. I wouldn't blame goaltending.

I would. Holtby has a .930 SV% in 121 minutes and Grubauer has an .837 SV% in 105 minutes. That's the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs. Trotz went with the hot hand going into the playoffs and at the time I couldn't fault the logic but in hindsight it's pretty clear it was the wrong move. Even the best don't have a crystal ball.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Given we're talking about three games, looking at save percentages isn't helpful. Sample size too small. Instead, look at the goals allowed. Grubauer has let in some that he absolutely should have stopped, including the Panarin goal in OT in game 1. I thought Holtby looked frantic and scrambly at times, hardly his usual self, but I can't really fault him on the goals.

[Erick Estrada]

Everything about the playoffs though is small sample size. It's why GM's have to be careful about putting a lot of stock into making roster chances based on a brief playoff performance (trading Panarin for Saad after a bad four game playoff series) or overvaluing a player based on a breakout playoff performance (John Druce). However when examining why a team loses a best of seven game series there's no doubt in my mind save percentage is helpful because the team with the better save percentage is the one that typically moves on. A save percentage below .900 is simply not good enough and it doesn't help that a couple of the goals in game two looked like circa 2017 playoffs Elliott.