Here's to hoping Washington loses tonight

I have nothing against the Caps and I think AO is an amazing talent, but I think Brodeur is more deserving of MVP this year than AO. The problem is the NHL has a virtual lovefest with AO, and thus the only chance Marty has is if the Caps fail to make the playoffs, because I simply dont see how a MVP should logically come from a team that doesnt make the postseason.

Without Brodeur, the Devils dont have even the remotest sniff at the playoffs this year and arent even a 9th or 10th place team.

Brodeur has won NINE games in which the Devils only scored 1 or 2 goals*

Enough said = MVP**

* And he earned the Devils 4 crucial points in which the Devils scored 0 or 1 goal
**Sadly the award will 90% be given to AO, because we all know these things are heavily biased to offense

Its AO's already.
In a fair world it should be a toss up, rarely do you have two players in one season perfectlly describe with MVP truly means.

Its AO's already.

Exactly, I'm just hoping Marty doesn't lose the Vezina to Nabokov now.

I hope the Caps get in & take out the Rangers if the Devils don't face them in the 1st round.

Its AO's already.
In a fair world it should be a toss up, rarely do you have two players in one season perfectlly describe with MVP truly means.

Not if they dont make the playoffs though. If a player from a non-playoff team wins MVP, it makes a farce of the award IMO. It's the old adage of, "if they miss the playoffs with you, they would miss the playoffs without you too". A MVP should get his team to the "season" that matters.

Go Caps tonight. I do not like Carolina.
In reality I really don't care, I am prepping for tomorrow's game and out matchup with the Rags.

Not if they dont make the playoffs though. If a player from a non-playoff team wins MVP, it makes a farce of the award IMO. It's the old adage of, "if they miss the playoffs with you, they would miss the playoffs without you too". A MVP should get his team to the "season" that matters.

The awards are a little bit of a farce as it is, how did Michelin man win the MVP of the playoffs ( Conn Smythe) yet his team lost the cup in 2003 ?

Exactly, I'm just hoping Marty doesn't lose the Vezina to Nabokov now.



:biglaugh: Gotta give the big laugh on that one! he didn't break the wins record, so no award for nabby! There is no way Brodeur doesn't get the vezina this year. No way! The voters would have to have been completely blind. Besides, look at his numbers. Brodeur has the best numbers among the major categories on average than any other goalie.

Go Caps Go!!!

Individual awards really don't matter to me much at all

Marty isnt winning the MVP, sorry guys

not saying he shouldnt, but he just wont. itll be Malkin or AO

Right. It's Ovechkin's fault they won't make the playoffs :shakehead

Based on your logic, shouldn't a player from the Detroit Red Wings win the MVP? After all, they were the best team, after all, "If they're not in first place with you, then they're not in first place without you."

The award is Most Valuable Player. Not Most Valuable Player On A Playoff Team. Ovechkin has scored the most goals we have seen in a LONG time. What the hell else could you possibly expect him to do to help the Capitals make the playoffs? Ovechkin doesn't control how the defense plays. Or how the 4th line plays. Or how the coaching staff works. Ovechkin can only control himself, and has essentially put up the best season we have seen in a long time with virtually no help.

If I were to vote on the MVP, I would probably pick Ovechkin. That's not to say the race isn't close. The Devils without Brodeur would be nowhere near the playoffs. The Capitals without Ovechkin are competing for Stamkos. I think it's close. You guys complain that nobody sees what Brodeur has done, yet you guys yourselves haven't even acknowledged what Ovechkin has done. Just as others think Ovechkin wins it hands down, you seem to think Brodeur wins it hands down. Everyone needs to realize they both single handedly took their team to great places.

I have nothing against the Caps and I think AO is an amazing talent, but I think Brodeur is more deserving of MVP this year than AO. The problem is the NHL has a virtual lovefest with AO, and thus the only chance Marty has is if the Caps fail to make the playoffs, because I simply dont see how a MVP should logically come from a team that doesnt make the postseason.

Without Brodeur, the Devils dont have even the remotest sniff at the playoffs this year and arent even a 9th or 10th place team.

Brodeur has won NINE games in which the Devils only scored 1 or 2 goals*

Enough said = MVP**

* And he earned the Devils 4 crucial points in which the Devils scored 0 or 1 goal
**Sadly the award will 90% be given to AO, because we all know these things are heavily biased to offense

Not to start anything but Lundqvist has won ten games in which the rangers scored 2 goals or less. Does he deserve the Vezina? Probably not. Does Brodeur? Probably yes and he probably will. Does Brodeur deserve MVP honors? Sorry but Ovy has him beat by a mile right now.

I love Marty and do often root for you guys, but I have to say that Ovechkin seems to be more deserving of the title this year.

Marty is the MVP of this team every season, both his teammates and the league knows that.

I'd rather the Caps make the playoffs, at least I won't be annoyed when (not if) Ovechkin wins the MVP, because I don't think he should win it if the Caps don't make the playoffs and I don't want the Hurridives making the playoffs.

I have nothing against the Caps and I think AO is an amazing talent, but I think Brodeur is more deserving of MVP this year than AO. The problem is the NHL has a virtual lovefest with AO, and thus the only chance Marty has is if the Caps fail to make the playoffs, because I simply dont see how a MVP should logically come from a team that doesnt make the postseason.

Without Brodeur, the Devils dont have even the remotest sniff at the playoffs this year and arent even a 9th or 10th place team.

Brodeur has won NINE games in which the Devils only scored 1 or 2 goals*

Enough said = MVP**

* And he earned the Devils 4 crucial points in which the Devils scored 0 or 1 goal
**Sadly the award will 90% be given to AO, because we all know these things are heavily biased to offense

Without Ovechkin the Caps are counting the days to the lottery in hopes to get Stamkos.

He's the MVP, hands down.

65 goals, 112 points, 11 game winners.


The only thing I can think of to not vote for him is the fact he plays on a team in the Southeast Division - a division where it's a good chance only 1 team is making the playoffs.

However I'm sure he'd be putting up very similar numbers in any other division.

I know the homer in us all wants Marty to be the MVP, but even if I were given the chance to vote, it wouldn't be for him. I suppose it depends on how you examine the situation, and it's clearly not taking away from the fact that Marty got us where we are today for the most part.

Personally, I think Ovie is hands-down the MVP with or without a playoff birth tonight. But that's just me...I don't think your whole team needs to necessarily succeed in order for you to be recognized for that. Ovie has been the main part of carrying a team that got off to an awful start and getting them into improbable playoff contention and a possible division title.

Here's hoping to a Caps win an division title tonight.... :cheers:

I have money on Florida tonight, so go Panthers!
That and I'm much less scared of Carolina in the playoffs than the red-hot Caps.

Also...this entire discussion also doesn't include Nabakov who, like Marty, was a workhorse and has put up slightly better numbers overall than Marty. This whole MVP thing isn't just in the East and although you could argue San Jose has a far superior team, doesn't change the fact that he's put up those numbers and played that many games.

If Marty can't win it last year, in a record breaking season, than why is he more deserving of it now? And more importantly, why is Nabakov less deserving when he's had a very close season to the one Marty had last year?

Also...this entire discussion also doesn't include Nabakov who, like Marty, was a workhorse and has put up slightly better numbers overall than Marty. This whole MVP thing isn't just in the East and although you could argue San Jose has a far superior team, doesn't change the fact that he's put up those numbers and played that many games.

If Marty can't win it last year, in a record breaking season, than why is he more deserving of it now? And more importantly, why is Nabakov less deserving when he's had a very close season to the one Marty had last year?

Check the stats. Nabokov has not put up better numbers that brodeur. And Joe thornton has more assists than parise has points. I dont what nabokov has over brodeur.

ANyway, i also dont get everyones lovefest for the caps. yea i like ovechkin, but Id rather have them lose tonight A) so marty has a slight chance at the hart, and B) so there is no chance we have to face the caps in the playoffs. i dotn get it, why does everyone want a red hot caps team in the playoffs? we would probably play them in the second round if we make it.

65 goals, 112 points, 11 game winners.


The only thing I can think of to not vote for him is the fact he plays on a team in the Southeast Division. However I'm sure he'd be putting up very similar numbers in any other division.

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. He plays 32 games against subpar competititon. What if Sidney Crosby or Malkin or Thornton or a half dozen other guys had that luxury? It's a remarkably impressive season, but I think it's more proper to compare apples to apples when evaluating relative strength of schedule in comparing stats across divisions/conferences.


Not to start anything but Lundqvist has won ten games in which the rangers scored 2 goals or less. Does he deserve the Vezina? No he doesnt, and it's a poorly thought out comparison. When Valiquette plays the Rangers dont miss a beat. In fact (and I'm sure this is blaspheny in Ranger land to point out), Valiquette has a better GAA, a better Save Percentage, and the same win percentage as Lundqvist. :teach:

Check the stats. Nabokov has not put up better numbers that brodeur. And Joe thornton has more assists than parise has points. I dont what nabokov has over brodeur.

ANyway, i also dont get everyones lovefest for the caps. yea i like ovechkin, but Id rather have them lose tonight A) so marty has a slight chance at the hart, and B) so there is no chance we have to face the caps in the playoffs. i dotn get it, why does everyone want a red hot caps team in the playoffs? we would probably play them in the second round if we make it.

Player | GP | W | L | OTL | GAA | TGA | SV % | SO
Evgeni Nabokov, SJ | 76| 46| 21| 8| 2.15 |163 | .909 | 6
Martin Brodeur, NJ |76 |43 | 27 | 6 |2.18 |166 |.920 | 4


I think the stats beg to differ. The GAA is really about the same, Nabby has more wins and less regulation losses, more shutouts and really only a low save %. Sure we can get into saves made/shots faced, but regardless at WORST you can argue they had similar seasons, IMO despite Marty having less wins.

And again, it also begs the question how Marty was undeserving last year but then is more deserving this year having had a lesser season (faced less shots, made lesser saves, lesser wins, etc)

Edit: As for the latter half of what you said....I want them to win because they have heart, because they want it and they're doing everything to get it. I love the Devils and if we played Washington I'd sincerely hope someone lays out AO and puts him in a coma so he can't play (I'm exaggerating) but you're on some serious drugs if you think this team
A) Has heart
B) Has a chance to get past the first round
C) Can play intense, tight hockey and prevail (see: last night + 11 other times this season)

This team isn't bred for a championship and quite frankly isn't bred for the playoffs more than the teams below them. I will pull for them, my blood pressure will skyrocket every second of every game until the final horn, I'll lose hair when we get ****ed on goals, calls, and are losing/playing terribly. But to have high expectations or believe that this team actually is capable of winning when it truly counts...is unfounded and unproven.

At this rate we will get swept out of the playoffs no matter who we play. I just hope it isn't NY so we don't hear the end of it for the next half-century it takes them to win a championship

I think the stats beg to differ. The GAA is really about the same, Nabby has more wins and less regulation losses, more shutouts and really only a low save %. Sure we can get into saves made/shots faced, but regardless at WORST you can argue they had similar seasons, IMO despite Marty having less wins.

I think the obvious thing you're missing, however, is that:

Devils = Ford Focus
Sharks = Mercedes S-class.

Unless Ovechkin straight up murders someone on the ice tonight vs. Florida, there is no way in hell Marty wins.

Not saying he doesn't deserve it, just that the league has already made up it's mind.

I'm rooting for Washington because as a hockey fan, they are just exciting and fun to watch. Plus I think they are a dangerous team and can pull off some upsets.

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. He plays 32 games against subpar competititon. What if Sidney Crosby or Malkin or Thornton or a half dozen other guys had that luxury? It's a remarkably impressive season, but I think it's more proper to compare apples to apples when evaluating relative strength of schedule in comparing stats across divisions/conferences.


No he doesnt, and it's a poorly thought out comparison. When Valiquette plays the Rangers dont miss a beat. In fact (and I'm sure this is blaspheny in Ranger land to point out), Valiquette has a better GAA, a better Save Percentage, and the same win percentage as Lundqvist. :teach:


Ovechkin has scored more PPG against non-SE teams this season:

50 GP, 73 PTS. = 1.46 PPG

than against divisional opponents:

31 GP, 39 PTS. = 1.26 PPG

How about doing some research before making bold statements blinded by homerism. :help:

Furthermore, don't you think Weekes would have better numbers if he actually played a bit more rather than once in a blue moon? Weekes to me was always a goalie who gets better the more he plays.

Not to take anything away from Marty, but he's a far second when it comes to the MVP IMHO. I think he deserves the Vezina though.

I think the obvious thing you're missing, however, is that:

Devils = Ford Focus
Sharks = Mercedes S-class.

I'm going more along the lines of

Devils:

http://www.avonhill.com/thumbnails/coupe_domestic/1976_AMC_Gremlin.jpeg

Go Caps Go! If AO wins it, he deserves it. I wish no ill-will on him or his team.

Marty also deserves it as well.

I'm going more along the lines of

Devils:

http://www.avonhill.com/thumbnails/coupe_domestic/1976_AMC_Gremlin.jpeg

Ouch.

Ouch.

haha get it? It's ugly...works when it wants to, but when it does work...it gets the job done. ;)

edit: and to further expand...the still chrome bumpers are Marty..the ugly color is our defense, and the stripes down the sides are our streaky offense, hubcaps are the coaching staff...the empty hatch is a majority of our AHL affiliate...

so on and so forth.

The Sharks were a Ford Focus till the Campbell trade made them a Mercedes :P

The problem with Marty winning MVP (among other things) is you can make the argument for Nabokov being right there as far as the type of season they've had. And Thornton may be by far the leading scorer on the two teams, but the Sharks only have two other players with as much as 40 points. Even the Devils have 5 or 6 players with 40+ points.

Personally, I'm more hoping for the Bruins to win tonight, combined with us keeping the Rags from getting a point tomorrow. The only confidence I have in this team is that Brodeur will play well. Aside from that, I'm not expecting more than an embarassment in the playoffs...so I'd rather the Bruins get 5th, and not have to worry about us getting potentially embarassed against the Rags.

Go Caps Go!!

I'm all over that band wagon! :thumbu:

I think the obvious thing you're missing, however, is that:

Devils = Ford Focus
Sharks = Mercedes S-class.

The Ford Focus drove right through the S-class and kept on going. Don't forget, I believe the Sharks last loss before the one against the Kings lately was against us a hundred years ago.

Marty isn't going to win the MVP regardless if the Caps make it or not. If the Caps don't make it and Ovechkin doesn't win it it is going to go to Malkin or Iginla.

I'm rooting for the Caps to get in. I was just down by Verizon Center and at 5 o'clock there was already a line around the block to get in. You couldn't get a ticket not even a single. The scalpers didn't even have tickets (i tried several). Best case scenario they get in, play, and beat the Rangers.

Ovechkin has a 13 goal lead on Kovalchuk. He's going to win the Hart no matter what happens tonight, and he will deserve it. Go Caps Go!

My Dad had that exact same orange Gremlin!

AMC FTW!!

BAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for your input. You really bring a lot to the argument. It is certainly refreshing to have someone offer the insight into hockey discussions that you do. It's good to see that you are branching out from ticket scalping.

I am not discounting the incredible season that Alex Ovechkin had, but the Washington Capitals only made the playoffs because they went out and got Cristobal Huet. He had an 11-2-0 record with a Save Percentage 93.6% and a 1.63 GAA.

We will never know what Washington could have accomplished without Ovechkin in the lineup because he played every single game. However, we do know that the Capitals were 32-29-8 without Huet as the starter. Washington was also 28-27-8 before the trade, 7 PTS behind Carolina.

I am not discounting the incredible season that Alex Ovechkin had, but the Washington Capitals only made the playoffs because they went out and got Cristobal Huet. He had an 11-2-0 record with a Save Percentage 93.6% and a 1.63 GAA.

We will never know what Washington could have accomplished without Ovechkin in the lineup because he played every single game. However, we do know that the Capitals were 32-29-8 without Huet as the starter. Washington was also 28-27-8 before the trade, 7 PTS behind Carolina.

While the above is all true, it doesnt matter; via the Caps win last night AO is going to be the MVP. I genuinely believe if the Caps lost Brodeur would have been MVP though. If you're looking at the award from pure "value" to his team, it's a no brainer.

The devils would still be very competitive with different goalie even though Marty puts them in a much higher level. The Caps on the other hand, would pretty much be average at best without AO and a complete afterthought.

After what AO did to bring his team up from the ruins deserves the MVP by a mile. Even if they missed by a point.

The devils would still be very competitive with different goalie even though Marty puts them in a much higher level.

The Devils wouldnt have made the playoffs without Brodeur and would have a record similar to that of the Islanders, looking forward to the draft.

The Devils wouldnt have made the playoffs without Brodeur and would have a record similar to that of the Islanders, looking forward to the draft.


Come on. You guys have Elias, Gionta, Parise, Madden, Pandalfo, etc... Comparing your team to the Islanders is a bit fo a stretch.

Come on. You guys have Elias, Gionta, Parise, Madden, Pandalfo, etc... Comparing your team to the Islanders is a bit fo a stretch.

Watch our offense today.
Seriously, just do it.