Bruins @ Capitals: Game 3 Preview

A lot of people are giving Braden Holtby a lot of credit, and rightfully so to a certain extent, but you you really want to give someone the MOST credit, that would go to the Captials coach Dale Hunter.

The Capitals are known for scoring, not playing defense, and basically choking in the playoffs. Over the first two games the Capitals have played an extremly patient game. They are using a 1-4 attack, which mean only 1 guy forechecking, while the rest shut down the neutral zone. It not the most exciting thing in the world, but it's basically how the Bruins got it done last year.

Boston needs to crash the net harder, they are taking way to many shots from the outside. Rob made the point the other day that they miss Recchi, and he is right. They are missing that guy who will just go in front of the net and try to tip shots coming from the point. When I think of players that can fill that void I think of Marchand. He has the skill set, adn he is tough as nails.

I realy have nothing bad to say about the Bruins goaltending or defense. They just need to keep hitting, and I think they can wear down this Caps team. It's starts night..

Bruins win 3-1
Player of the game: Marchand
Gand starts at 7:30pm

Why Not?

Why not see what GI Joe does for fun?

The Ballad of G.I. Joe from Olivia Wilde

Jacoby DLsbury

After suffering a partial dislocation of his shoulder Friday afternoon, Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the 15 Day DL. There is, as of yet, no timetable for his return. The Sox don't even seem to be sure how partial the dislocation was, or whether or not Ellsbury should undergo surgery.

The Sox really didn't need this. They're already very weak in the outfield, and already have some potential holes in the lineup.

What has me worried is the lack of a timetable. This seems like the kind of injury that is healed when it's healed. And until it feels healed, it's considered injured. There's no test for a doctor to conduct and say "It's all better."

And that means that if Ellsbury takes more than a week to recover, the amateur M.D.s in this town will start questioning his toughness. Ellsbury, probably unfairly, got a reputation for taking his time to return from injury in 2010. So if this shoulder problem takes more than a month to be resolved, expect moans and groans from Red Sox Nation.

And another thing that worries me is Ellsbury himself. What if he feels the need to return as fast as possible to avoid reaffirming that 2010 reputation? What if he returns before the injury is properly and completely better?

I don't mind DL stints in April. Even if they stretch deep into May. But I do mind 60 Day DL stints in September and October.

So take your time, Jacoby. Don't worry what morons say.

-The Captain

Top 25 Under 25: #25 Matt Moore

Born: June 18, 1989 (22 years old)
Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Position: Pitcher

Of the players on my list Moore has the least amount of experience, but I could just not get myself to leave him off the list. When almost ever scout and baseball commentator says that this guy is already one of the better lefties in baseball you know you have something special. I have more then 1 scout say by next year this guy will be up for Cy Youngs. You don't hear that very much.

He is going to go through some growing pains this year, but I fully expect at least 12 wins this year and that's damn impressive for a rookie. I mean look at this kid's stats from the minors last year...

12-3 1.92 ERA 155 innings 210 Ks 46 BBs.

Yea, this kid is going to be a stud, and a good chance he's int he top 10 on our list next year.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 5*

Things are getting nuts out there. Bad blood, rats on the ice, and a sad octopus. It was a very entertaining weekend of hockey.

PREDATORS 3, RED WINGS 2 - (Predators lead series 2-1)

The Red Wings only lost 10 times at home in the regular season. The Predators, however, won a huge game in Detroit yesterday afternoon. The Preds have been able to get early leads and force the Red Wings to chase the game. And with Pekka Rinne, any lead is a very safe lead.

Game 4 Tuesday night in Detroit.

FLYERS 8, PENGUINS 4 - (Flyers lead series 3-0)

I hate the Penguins more and more every game. James Neal levels a dirty and late hit on Sean Couturier, injures him, then gets absolutely no penalty for it. The Flyers tried to take care of business themselves (Neal, right after Couturier had been helped off the ice, was messing with Claude Giroux), which got messy. Then Crosby looked like he was trying to initiate a fight with Brayden Schenn, then refused to drop the gloves. Moments later, Crosby tried pulling Hartnell off Neal. Hartnell went after Crosby as if he were anyone else, then Craig Adams becomes the 3rd man in (automatic game misconduct), then fights Hartnell, then pulls Hartnell's hair.

In short, a Pittsburgh player dishes out a dirty hit and injures an opponent. He doesn't get penalized (we've heard this story before, haven't we). Then the Penguins fight dirty. That's if they're willing to fight at all.

Game 4 Wednesday night in Philly.

Go Flyers

PANTHERS 4, DEVILS 2 - (Series tied 1-1)

Nobody took Florida very seriously. They were used as an example of the NHL's imperfect playoff system. Stephen Weiss, who's getting his first taste of playoff hockey in south Florida, scored two Power Play goals. That's pretty impressive against the Devils' PK unit, which was the best in the NHL in the regular season.

Game 3 Tuesday night in Jersey.

Tonight's games:
7:30pm - Rangers @ Senators - CNBC - Tied 1-1
7:30pm - Bruins @ Capitals - NESN/NBC Sports - Tied 1-1
10:00pm - Blues @ Sharks - NBC Sports - Tied 1-1

-The Captain

Bobby V Calls Out Youk

"I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason," Valentine said in an interview for WHDH-TV's Sports Xtra. "But [Saturday] it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two walks, got his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."

I have defended Bobby V at basically every turn since he has become manager. I think he deserves a chance, and I actually went as far as to say his loud mouth ways was good for the team, because it made him the story instead of the players, but I can't defend this. It just make sense on any level. We ripped ownership for saying they didn't want Crawford, and that really isn't all that different from this. Why are you calling out a guy this early in the season? Does anyone really believe Youk cares less then he used to? I don't think Youk is a guy who would do that. He might be a shell of himself, but I would put that on his injuries from the past and the fact he is getting older. Yes, Youk is hitting .200 this year, but he also has 4 hits in his last 3 games with 3 RBIs, so the timing is odd.

Here is Youk's reponse...

"That's not what I see. I go out every day and play as hard as I can. I take every ground ball in the morning, take every at-bat like it's my last. I don't think my game has changed at all. I still get upset with myself and still get mad. That's just not how I go about my game of baseball. Never have, never will."

"I'm more confused than anything, because I think everyone knows I go out and play the game as hard as I can. That's just my style of play. I never was blessed with the raw tools … so I've always had to use playing the game as hard and with full effort my whole life. I don't know any better, so that's just the way I play."

Pedroia's were even more interesting...

"I know that Youk plays as hard as anybody I've ever seen in my life,"Pedroia said. "I have his back, and his teammates have his back. We know how hard he plays. I don't really understand what Bobby's trying to do. But that's really not the way we go about our stuff here. I'm sure he'll figure that out soon."

"Maybe in Japan or something," he said, referring to Valentine's stint as a manager there. "Over here in the U.S., we're on a three-game winning streak, we want to feel good and keep it rolling. We feel we have a good team and we've just got to get each other's backs and play together. Because if you don't do that, I don't care what sport you're playing, you're not going to win."

Pedroia is right. They are riding a 3 game winning streak against a very good team, and you decide to blast your starting 3rd baseman. It is very odd. Youk isn't in the lineup either (groin injury).

Rays @ Red Sox Preview

Things have turned around quickly for the Red Sox. Their starting pitching looks better, they are hitting the cover off the ball, and even their bullpen has been good. All these things have lead them to a 3 game winning streak against the Rays, who they play again today.

This is one of the stranger games of the year. Every in Mass is in Boston today, it's a Monday day game, and it starts at 11am. On top of that the Red Sox are dealing with Bobby V calling out Youk, who isn't in the lineup today (more on that in a later post).

Boston has Bard on the hill. He was decent in his first game, in which he gave up 5 runs over 5 inning, but actually didn't pitch all that bad. In 18 innings of relief work against the Rays Bard has only let up 2 runs. I don't know how much you can read into that, but it's impressive.

Going against Bard is Shields, who has not been good when having to play in Fenway. Shields is 1-9 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 starts. Boston needs to get on him early, because he is a guy who can go deep into games. I think they do and win again today.

Red Sox win 7-6
Player of the Game: Ortiz
Game starts at 11:05am