The Capitals got a huge monkey off their back last night.
In the fifth of six games to go to extra time, the Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs.
The choker label was out and ready to be applied. Insane media vultures were about to label this team unfairly, so it's nice to see they pulled it out.
People just don't seem to realize the incredible luck it takes to make the Stanley Cup.
Despite being one of the NHL's best teams over the last three years (they missed the Playoffs four years ago) they lost in game 7, in overtime to the Rangers, then lost to the eventual Cup Winning Penguins.
You hate to make excuses, but with just a little luck they'd have made the Conference Finals two years in a row........but they didn't and a loss to the Leafs would have destroyed the team in the eyes of the fans and media.
The thing about the Leafs though: wow. The Capitals didn't have trouble with a lesser opponent. This wasn't about the Capitals being bad or playing poorly.
Without much else changing, the Capitals could have been the team eliminated and they would have been able to say they got eliminated while playing well. The Leafs played well. This is far more a case of the Leafs playing well than the Capitals playing poorly, and I think that's an important distinction to make.
The Penguins are without Murray and Letang and Hagelin. Without those three players, it's arguable that the Leafs were a tougher opponent, meaning that the Capitals might (for once) have an easy path to the Finals.
Certainly the way the NHL seeds it's teams is a joke. The Capitals should be playing the Senators because they're the lowest ranked team. Or the Rangers because they were the Wild Card team. Instead, they'll play the one team it makes no sense for them to be playing - the next best team.
Theoretically the Penguins could be in the Conference Final after beating the Blue Jackets and Capitals, and playing the Rangers who would theoretically be healthier and less beat up by having to play to borderline playoff teams in Montreal and Ottawa.
That's ridiculous.
Anyways, it shouldn't be a problem because the Capitals are likely to win this series. Not only do they have a long history of hating the Penguins, but they have a better team.
Most importantly, they have a healthier team. And, after facing their demons in a near loss to the Leafs, they should be confident and ready to roll.
And Holy Crap, is Nate Schmidt an awesome player. When Alzner is back, please let Brooks Orpik be the guy who comes out of the lineup. None of this wacky seven-defenseman garbage either.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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