Ladies and gentlemen, hockey imitates life. I say this because, just like in hockey, anything can happen in life. And vice versa. And anything is what has happened so far for my favorite team this year. Now, with just a handful of weeks to go in this labor-interrupted season, what looked impossible just a couple of weeks ago is now reality--the Washington Capitals are in first place in the Southeast division.
And yes, while anything still can happen with time left in the season, this has to be a confidence booster for this team. But the only thing I'm afraid of is that complacency will once again rear its ugly head. In other words, the Caps cannot let up. Not for a moment. Not when the prize is within their grasp. Fortunes can turn so quickly, much like life.
Complacency will not be a factor for the team's most consistent players over the last few weeks--Braden Holtby, Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green. Call them the not-so-Young Guns version 2.0. And kudos to Martin Erat for stepping into a new situation and playing very well.
By no means are their opponents the Islanders out of it--trust me they will be heard from. And nothing is set in stone, far from it. But as they have learned, forgotten, and relearned once again, the results can and will come if the Caps stick to their game plan.
Whatever happens it looks to be an exciting finish to the season. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
ReCap 3/31/13 vs Philadelphia
Loser points are for losers. And that's just how the Washington Capitals played for the last seven plus minutes of their game tonight against Philly. So it's appropriate then that all they would come away with, was the loser point. Play them horns!
Play them all night long!!!!!
Honestly, when is this team going to figure out that there are 60 minutes in a game? Not 55, not 52, not 53, but 60. Sometimes more if overtime is involved. This team packed it up with about seven minutes to go. How many times have we Caps fans lamented this fact that nobody seems to realize you don't win unless you're LEADING after 60 minutes of play?????
It was a heck of a run with this team managing 10 wins in March, as Joe B referred to during the Comcast showing (nearly to ad nauseum, might I add). But when you can't win the tough games, you might as well not be playing at all. And so we all know what will happen now. This team will miss the playoffs.
And you can't say I didn't tell you so! Because I did!
Truth is, the Capitals do not deserve to make the playoffs. You can't coast against any team in this league and get rewarded for it. And yet it happens. Over and over and over again.
The trade deadline is in three days. The Washington Capitals better be having a fire sale happening, because everything must go. At least that's what I'd like to see. But it won't happen.
Play them all night long!!!!!
Honestly, when is this team going to figure out that there are 60 minutes in a game? Not 55, not 52, not 53, but 60. Sometimes more if overtime is involved. This team packed it up with about seven minutes to go. How many times have we Caps fans lamented this fact that nobody seems to realize you don't win unless you're LEADING after 60 minutes of play?????
It was a heck of a run with this team managing 10 wins in March, as Joe B referred to during the Comcast showing (nearly to ad nauseum, might I add). But when you can't win the tough games, you might as well not be playing at all. And so we all know what will happen now. This team will miss the playoffs.
And you can't say I didn't tell you so! Because I did!
Truth is, the Capitals do not deserve to make the playoffs. You can't coast against any team in this league and get rewarded for it. And yet it happens. Over and over and over again.
The trade deadline is in three days. The Washington Capitals better be having a fire sale happening, because everything must go. At least that's what I'd like to see. But it won't happen.
Monday, March 25, 2013
ReCap 3/24 vs. NY Rangers
Unbelievable as it may seem, it appears that we Caps fans may have finally seen the day in this season where we can all stop asking "Why can't they play like that more often?"
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way when you're working out of a struggle you lose something. That something may have been a part of you that needed to be shed, and yet the same time was a part of you. This might be the key to why the Caps have been so inconsistent over the years. They might be back, but they clearly are not the same team, the juggernaut that a lot of the current fans grew up with and came to love. Maybe winning does cure a lot of things, but it can mask other things that are problems.
Would last night's edition of the Caps beaten the Rangers in the playoffs last year? Hard to say. I ask this because the Rangers were considered by many (including yours truly) to be a Cup contender. And the Caps have been far from the world beaters they made themselves out to be in years past.
The scoresheet doesn't tell the whole story. But it does say one thing loud and clear--the best players still have to be the best players night after night. Which means that they can't afford to have Ovechkin go into an inexplicable funk. Or Backstrom struggle with inconsistencies. Or Green battle injuries. Many things can go wrong with most teams and they somehow get through it, but this team often tries to work through their problems without too many positive results.
Nick Baclstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and Braden Holtby were the heroes last night. But they can't be the heroes every night. The question I'm posing is, will Caps fans be okay with that? Because as this team finally comes together, they will need to rely on each other more. Or they won't amount to much in the future, let alone this season.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way when you're working out of a struggle you lose something. That something may have been a part of you that needed to be shed, and yet the same time was a part of you. This might be the key to why the Caps have been so inconsistent over the years. They might be back, but they clearly are not the same team, the juggernaut that a lot of the current fans grew up with and came to love. Maybe winning does cure a lot of things, but it can mask other things that are problems.
Would last night's edition of the Caps beaten the Rangers in the playoffs last year? Hard to say. I ask this because the Rangers were considered by many (including yours truly) to be a Cup contender. And the Caps have been far from the world beaters they made themselves out to be in years past.
The scoresheet doesn't tell the whole story. But it does say one thing loud and clear--the best players still have to be the best players night after night. Which means that they can't afford to have Ovechkin go into an inexplicable funk. Or Backstrom struggle with inconsistencies. Or Green battle injuries. Many things can go wrong with most teams and they somehow get through it, but this team often tries to work through their problems without too many positive results.
Nick Baclstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and Braden Holtby were the heroes last night. But they can't be the heroes every night. The question I'm posing is, will Caps fans be okay with that? Because as this team finally comes together, they will need to rely on each other more. Or they won't amount to much in the future, let alone this season.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Taking Chances a Must for a Win Tonight
The surging Washington Capitals have hitched their fortunes to their stellar power play. Their play with the man advantage has been impressive all season, but has recently shifted into overdrive, climbing to the top of the NHL in efficiency. But as has always been the case, you have to get there through your 5-on-5 play. As they drop the puck tonight in their match against the Rangers, one stat will be key--scoring chances.
Simply put, the Caps have to take it to the net. Even if they do not manage to get a shot off, they have to make life miserable for the Rangers' defensive corps. Especially now that their anchor, Mark Staal, will be out indefinitely. Scoring chances when taken to the extreme not only lead to possible goals while at even strength, they also lead to power play chances. And thus completes the cycle.
So my point is....drive to the net with consistency, and, as long as the refs have their glasses on when the Rangers resort to fouling, the Caps will be able to cash in. Watch tonight and see if the game proves me right or wrong.
Simply put, the Caps have to take it to the net. Even if they do not manage to get a shot off, they have to make life miserable for the Rangers' defensive corps. Especially now that their anchor, Mark Staal, will be out indefinitely. Scoring chances when taken to the extreme not only lead to possible goals while at even strength, they also lead to power play chances. And thus completes the cycle.
So my point is....drive to the net with consistency, and, as long as the refs have their glasses on when the Rangers resort to fouling, the Caps will be able to cash in. Watch tonight and see if the game proves me right or wrong.
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