ECSF Game 4 preview: Washington Capitals (1) at Tampa Bay Lightning (5)

by John Fontana on May 4, 2011 11:59 AM EDT in Game Previews

2011_ecsf_header_medium

WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7 PM EDT | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Sun Sports, NHL Network (Cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Japers' Rink, Rock The Red, Caps 'Round the Clock

For the second time in 24 hours, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals are set to square off. Of course, aftershocks of last night's 4-3 win will be playing out over the next several hours before game time (more on that in a bit), but the only issue that should resonate right now is the amount of energy both teams have.

They have another 60 minutes of playoff hockey yet to play... Are both teams able to go full-on tonight? Can Washington take it up to another level and stave off elimination?

Strike that last remark, as it shouldn't be a question. It's something we've seen in this series and it's something we've been made vastly aware of during the regular season: The Caps have another gear. The problem is, they have trouble sustaining themselves at that higher tier of play for longer stretches of play.

Boltosphere member and Kukla's Korner contributor Jon Jordan, remarked on Twitter during game two:

Caps imploding. Lucky it's only 2-1. Washington fans should be embarrassed. Games one and two tell me they still don't get it.

This remark I could not exactly take comfort in. Not when I know full well that the Capitals can strike quickly at any given time. But Jordan was right; the Caps third period was not of the same caliber as the previous assaults of the first and second. We saw that exact same issue last night.

There was a difference, however: The Bolts didn't simply hang on. They strode ahead and took what they could. This wasn't a theft. This was victory, and it was rightfully theirs.

As for aftershocks from last night's game, Bruce Boudreau sets the tone... Well, if this is tone setting, the Capitals are indeed in trouble:

"If you look at it, Malone's driving the net and he pushes our player (defenseman John Carlson) into our goaltender and he can't kick out his right leg to make the save,'' Boudreau said. "It's a no-goal, no penalty call. It's one of the best referees in the league and I fully respect him, but I don't think it should have counted.''

Bruce wouldn't think to correct officials on Brooks Laich goal in game 2, where Mike Lundin is conveniently shoved into Dwayne Roloson to enable the Caps opening tally, now would he?

But, at this point, it's moot. Both goals are in the rearview mirror and Game 4 is all that matters. It's thisclose to clinching for Tampa Bay, it's thisclose to drowning for Washington. The Capitals are not going to go down without a fight.

There's an argument to be had here, however, regarding game 4. It centers on the crease for both teams: Do you start Neuvirth and Roloson yet again tonight? Or do you go to your rested backups in Semyon Varlmanov and Mike Smith?

In the Capitals instance, going to Varlmanov is an easy call -- Neuvirth has not been otherworldly. Getting the rested goaltender in the crease to compensate for a worn down D is the right call to make. Hell, they could start Brandon Holtby again, the rookie goalie who beat the Lightning on March 7th, it'd still be the right call.

There is talk, and there will remain talk, that Dwayne Roloson starts in net for the Lightning tonight. This, I find as the wrong call to make. It tempts fate. The Lightning defense in front of Roloson is worn down. The Capitals have nothing to lose, and will be throwing everything at the crease that they have left. Why go with the netminder that faced 32 shots just last night? The 41-year-old who has carried this team through the series?

Is it a testament how little faith the Lightning have in Mike Smith? Or is it a testament of how much faith they have in Roloson?

Damian Cristodero pointed out via Twitter that Roloson's si game win streak is the longest by a goalie over the age of 40 since Jacques Plante's 8-game win streak in the 1969 NHL Playoffs.

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Comments

Few points

*I just saw that we’ve given up exactly 5 shots on goal in each third period here in the second round. That’s the kind of way I like to close games.

*Give Smitty a start! Roloson has started back-to-back games five times this season. He’s won only one of them and has given up more than 4 goals per game.

*Don’t know if you saw, but Boucher said that Gagne and Kubina are day-to-day, but not tonight they aren’t. The earliest they will play is Saturday (the day on which we hopefully don’t have a game).

*I’ve been saying a short turnaround helps the Caps, who are deeper (especially with us having a couple of injuries), but I’m not so sure anymore. Yesterday was the kind of heartbreaking game that it takes a couple days to recover from. I’d love it if they just don’t recover.

*In the conference semifinals, there have been nine teams in history to play game four at home with a 3-0 lead. They are 4-5 in game four. Beat the odds, Bolts!

by Incipient_Senescence on May 4, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree with your Smitty proposal. Roli’s often described by Boucher as the fittest guy on the team. If they boys win tonight there will be plenty of time to rest. Heck, if they lose tonight there will be time to rest. Roli’s played back-to-back during the season—he’ll be fine.

Boucher’s pre-game speech needs to only be eleven syllables: 2010 Boston Bruins. Put them away.

Knuble’s quote from last night was so good I had to make it part of my signature!

"They are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves you flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on May 4, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

he's played back to back games during the season

Yes, I said that. He had a record of 1-4 in the second leg. His GAA is 4.21. He has a save percentage of .893. This isn’t about resting for Saturday, this is about trying to win tonight. I think Smith gives us the best chance of doing that.

by Incipient_Senescence on May 4, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. Roloson’s the guy, and he can close this out in Game 5, if they go that far. Smith’s overall record is better than Roloson’s in the second game of back-to-backs.

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on May 4, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess I believe three things:

1. Regular season stats are mostly meaningless (anyone care to bring up the fact the Bolts regular season GFA/GAA discrepancy?) because the game is different in late spring than in the fall. It just is. So yes, while his stats are down during the regular season, I don’t think that necessarily predicts a poor showing tonight.

2. I don’t believe in changing things “mid-stream.” I do believe in staying with what works until it doesn’t.

3. I don’t believe Smitty is good.

Those personal belief tenents are the basis for my disagreement. Your mileage may—and by the looks of your posts, most certainly do—vary.

by MTBoltFan on May 4, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess my perspective is this: With either goalie in net tonight, chances are good that the Lightning are going to lose this game. I don’t expect the Caps to just roll over, especially since they face elimination. The Eastern Conference champs are just too good to go down in a sweep – no matter how great the Lightning are playing. So realistically speaking, if they’re going to probably lose this game, anyways, and Roloson has a poor record playing in the second of back-to-back games, then what’s the harm of playing Smith?

Not that it matters, anyways, since Boucher has already said that Roloson will start.

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on May 4, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

For the record

My sentiments are the same as yours as to the final outcome of the game. I don’t think the Caps are playing as a team, but even as a collection of individuals they have too much skill and pride to go down in a sweep.

by MTBoltFan on May 4, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Jersey luck!

Knock on wood. I haven’t wore my Tampa Bay Jersey on game day since Game 4 against Pittsburgh. Since then they’ve won 6 in a row! Unbelievable… I’m not gonna wear the Jersey again tonight! But I hate walking around work and seeing people in Washington jerseys. I feel like I should be reppin’ my team… but then again I showed up at work today with a broom ;)

Stamkos = Hockey God

by Killhowe on May 4, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

don't mess with a good thing, but do you have any other Lightning gear?

Also, since game four against the Pens, I’ve worn by Bolts hoodie with a pair of light-colored jeans each gameday, no matter how hot it is. Also, I’ve shaved the day before each game. So far, it’s working out.

by Incipient_Senescence on May 4, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I won't be around tonight, so here's my GDT contribution

Snakellefteå - Silver Seven - The Classic Blog

by Ryan Classic on May 4, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs

WIN!

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on May 4, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

nice!

by Incipient_Senescence on May 4, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

And, fittingly, I made it green. :oD

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on May 4, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

That’s awesome!

Sons of Plunder

by Gatorbuc15 on May 4, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

roloson will start....

Idc about the numbers… this guy has a 6 game winning streak… hes in the caps heads. remember the caps torched mike smith earlier in the year. the D men are making most of these shots he has to save pretty easy direct shots. they arent tiring him much when he doesnt have to move…. a few chances here and there but hes stopping them and thats frustrating the hell out of the caps. Everyone will question the move if they lose with mike smith… theres a reason if the lose with roloson just cuz of being tired but he will be rested for saturday eitherway… everyone wants to finish it tonight and have a full week off before they start the next round to get everyone healthy and rested for the stretch run. 3-1 bolts final.

by TomK91 on May 4, 2011 3:02 PM EDT reply actions