James Tanner: Panic in D.C - Are the Caps Resting up?

This is their year, I see them winning the Cup

This is their year, I see them winning the Cup
- LeftCoaster

If the Maple Leafs, Coyotes, Oilers and Flames all fail to win the Cup, then I hope you're right!!

If the Maple Leafs, Coyotes, Oilers and Flames all fail to win the Cup, then I hope you're right!!
- james_tanner1

you so funny...

Teams tweak and adjust the lineups during the regular season...try rookies on different lines etc....then they get serious about the playoffs. The best team wins the cup.

Go Leafs Go

Teams tweak and adjust the lineups during the regular season...try rookies on different lines etc....then they get serious about the playoffs. The best team wins the cup.

Go Leafs Go
- Garnie

Untrue....the best team during the regular season doesn't always win the Cup

Untrue....the best team during the regular season doesn't always win the Cup
- LeftCoaster

Regular season means Richard, the best team for the year is the cup winner.

The end.

Untrue....the best team during the regular season doesn't always win the Cup
- LeftCoaster

The Playoff format ensures that the best team almost never wins the Cup.

This is their year, I see them winning the Cup
- LeftCoaster

I welcome them to win another President's Cup and flop in the playoffs.... again

The Playoff format ensures that the best team almost never wins the Cup.
- james_tanner1

President's Trophy > Stanley Cup

James Tanner: Panic in D.C - Are the Caps Resting up?
- james_tanner1

Pittsburgh is currently playing with No Letang, No Hornqvist, No Cullen, No, Maatta and No Daley. I doubt they catch Washington to win the division, but they are the best team in the league when healthy. Washington needs to beat them in the playoffs before we can call them "the best team in the league".

Fact is, there is no drama here. The Capitals have actually been the best team in the NHL for about 150 straight games now
- james_tanner1

Not even a single poorly played game. That's a lot of bad puck luck to only have the record they have had over that period.

the Caps are garbage.

the Caps are garbage.
- Blackstrom2

such a refreshing thought

First you write Burns (the only possible winner) should win the Norris, now you are offering opinions on the Capitals?

It is enough you told how OEL was a top five defenseman, when he has yet to reach that status, you said the Blackhakws wouldn't make the playoffs, and dissed Jonatha Toews as player nowhere near the top centres in the league.

Why not stick to the team you know the least about, the one who is suppose to be about, the Coyotes?

Tell us how acquiring picks in the worst draft since 1999 is gonna change the face of the new Scottsdale Coyotes...oh you didn't know about the possible new owner or move?

After pick 16, the player in slots 17-90 all have warts and are developmental guys that will take time IF they are even able to reach the status to be considered possible NHL rostered players.

It just seems like you like to go out on these limbs to make the visitors angry...it serves no purpose to grow the site, the game or bring us to together around the sport we love.

President's Trophy > Stanley Cup
- LeftCoaster

The Capitals have lost 3 straight in regulation for the first tine in 2 years. Cue the roof jumpers!

Take it from a life-long Capitals fan: There is reason for panic in D.C.

Now is it warrented?

Pragmatic fan: Can't win then all. Dynamic of team changes a little with a few new folks in the lineup the past week or so.. Long road trip..but they are professionals, they want it and will be at the top of their game when the playoffs start. Presidents trophy is nice window dressing, but overall home-ice advantage in the playoffs isn't a must for a team with top-5 away winning percentage in the league.

Embarrassing amount of Caps fans including, at times, my dad - a day one Caps' supporter:

The wheels are starting to come off. I knew it.. things were going too well. They peaked too early, as usual. Can't finish what they start. I liked that trade a few days ago, but now? Meh, still same old Caps. Shouldnt have messed with the chemistry of the team. Its a delicate thing you know.. Finally suffered some injuries and don't have the depth. All that is messing with their psyche. They just dont have ot in their DNA to win. Gonna choke again.

In between there somewhere is the reality.

Physically, the Capitals are of the top teams in the league. They will likely be a very hard out in the playoffs. At their best and injury-free they have considerable skill, speed, size, and strength on all four lines. Their recent stretch was franchise record-breaking, sure, but also watching them play over that stretch and a little before I could actually start to feel that this is the strongest and most complete they've ever been going in to each game. One of those seasons that start to feel could be special. I know that anytime they make the playoffs anything can happen, but I think maybe 3 times in the 30+ years I've been able to be a Capitals fan have I thought they could legitimately win the Cup based on talent and performance (one being this season).

When it comes to the intangible or what many a Capitals fan see as mental perseverence over the repeated failures of previous playoff years? Basically, they have to beat the Penguins. They have to win a game 7. They have to get through a "hot goalie" (a familiar playoff lament in DC.) Also, they have to close when being up 3 games to 1. Which shouldn't have to even be mentioned, but the Capitals give me no choice and it's one of those stats that do make you wonder if it is in the franchise's DNA to collapse at the pivotal moments. That they will wither and die in the end no matter how hard they struggle to push through the crack in the sidewalk or how beautifully they bloom throughout the season. Dammit, dad.

Just wanted to ramble on a bit this lazy Sunday morning. Caps should be fine, barring injury. They have great skill and great teamwork. They work fast and smart. They grind. They seem determined and focused. Deep in the playoffs its about getting the bounces and timely saves. I have faith in Holtby and the D to limit the amount of those timely saves needed and that the team can work hard enough to out puck-luck any team in a 7 game series. Looking forward to all the gut-wrenching anxiety of it.

First you write Burns (the only possible winner) should win the Norris, now you are offering opinions on the Capitals?

I'll trust you made a typo here. Karlsson should win over Burns.


It is enough you told how OEL was a top five defenseman, when he has yet to reach that status, you said the Blackhakws wouldn't make the playoffs, and dissed Jonatha Toews as player nowhere near the top centres in the league.


I wouldn't listen to anyone who didn't think OEL was a top-five defenseman. Bad teams have good players, it happens.

I did think the Hawks would miss the Playoffs. It's not that ridiculous either - I haven't looked lately, but they were riding some lucky breaks to a good record for a long time. Plus, St.Louis, Nashville or LA will miss the Playoffs and the Hawks aren't really much, if any better than those teams.

Toews is outside the top ten in centres. So I was right again.


Why not stick to the team you know the least about, the one who is suppose to be about, the Coyotes?

Tell us how acquiring picks in the worst draft since 1999 is gonna change the face of the new Scottsdale Coyotes...oh you didn't know about the possible new owner or move?

Cause now they pay me to do the Caps.

After pick 16, the player in slots 17-90 all have warts and are developmental guys that will take time IF they are even able to reach the status to be considered possible NHL rostered players.

It just seems like you like to go out on these limbs to make the visitors angry...it serves no purpose to grow the site, the game or bring us to together around the sport we love.
- wiz1901

Tell the truth, how drunk were you when you wrote this?

The Capitals have lost 3 straight in regulation for the first tine in 2 years. Cue the roof jumpers!

Take it from a life-long Capitals fan: There is reason for panic in D.C.

Now is it warrented?

Pragmatic fan: Can't win then all. Dynamic of team changes a little with a few new folks in the lineup the past week or so.. Long road trip..but they are professionals, they want it and will be at the top of their game when the playoffs start. Presidents trophy is nice window dressing, but overall home-ice advantage in the playoffs isn't a must for a team with top-5 away winning percentage in the league.

Embarrassing amount of Caps fans including, at times, my dad - a day one Caps' supporter:

The wheels are starting to come off. I knew it.. things were going too well. They peaked too early, as usual. Can't finish what they start. I liked that trade a few days ago, but now? Meh, still same old Caps. Shouldnt have messed with the chemistry of the team. Its a delicate thing you know.. Finally suffered some injuries and don't have the depth. All that is messing with their psyche. They just dont have ot in their DNA to win. Gonna choke again.

In between there somewhere is the reality.

Physically, the Capitals are of the top teams in the league. They will likely be a very hard out in the playoffs. At their best and injury-free they have considerable skill, speed, size, and strength on all four lines. Their recent stretch was franchise record-breaking, sure, but also watching them play over that stretch and a little before I could actually start to feel that this is the strongest and most complete they've ever been going in to each game. One of those seasons that start to feel could be special. I know that anytime they make the playoffs anything can happen, but I think maybe 3 times in the 30+ years I've been able to be a Capitals fan have I thought they could legitimately win the Cup based on talent and performance (one being this season).

When it comes to the intangible or what many a Capitals fan see as mental perseverence over the repeated failures of previous playoff years? Basically, they have to beat the Penguins. They have to win a game 7. They have to get through a "hot goalie" (a familiar playoff lament in DC.) Also, they have to close when being up 3 games to 1. Which shouldn't have to even be mentioned, but the Capitals give me no choice and it's one of those stats that do make you wonder if it is in the franchise's DNA to collapse at the pivotal moments. That they will wither and die in the end no matter how hard they struggle to push through the crack in the sidewalk or how beautifully they bloom throughout the season. Dammit, dad.

Just wanted to ramble on a bit this lazy Sunday morning. Caps should be fine, barring injury. They have great skill and great teamwork. They work fast and smart. They grind. They seem determined and focused. Deep in the playoffs its about getting the bounces and timely saves. I have faith in Holtby and the D to limit the amount of those timely saves needed and that the team can work hard enough to out puck-luck any team in a 7 game series. Looking forward to all the gut-wrenching anxiety of it.
- TheEllsProject

Thanks for the great post and the perspective.

The Capitals have lost 3 straight in regulation for the first tine in 2 years. Cue the roof jumpers!

Take it from a life-long Capitals fan: There is reason for panic in D.C.

Now is it warrented?

Pragmatic fan: Can't win then all. Dynamic of team changes a little with a few new folks in the lineup the past week or so.. Long road trip..but they are professionals, they want it and will be at the top of their game when the playoffs start. Presidents trophy is nice window dressing, but overall home-ice advantage in the playoffs isn't a must for a team with top-5 away winning percentage in the league.

Embarrassing amount of Caps fans including, at times, my dad - a day one Caps' supporter:

The wheels are starting to come off. I knew it.. things were going too well. They peaked too early, as usual. Can't finish what they start. I liked that trade a few days ago, but now? Meh, still same old Caps. Shouldnt have messed with the chemistry of the team. Its a delicate thing you know.. Finally suffered some injuries and don't have the depth. All that is messing with their psyche. They just dont have ot in their DNA to win. Gonna choke again.

In between there somewhere is the reality.

Physically, the Capitals are of the top teams in the league. They will likely be a very hard out in the playoffs. At their best and injury-free they have considerable skill, speed, size, and strength on all four lines. Their recent stretch was franchise record-breaking, sure, but also watching them play over that stretch and a little before I could actually start to feel that this is the strongest and most complete they've ever been going in to each game. One of those seasons that start to feel could be special. I know that anytime they make the playoffs anything can happen, but I think maybe 3 times in the 30+ years I've been able to be a Capitals fan have I thought they could legitimately win the Cup based on talent and performance (one being this season).

When it comes to the intangible or what many a Capitals fan see as mental perseverence over the repeated failures of previous playoff years? Basically, they have to beat the Penguins. They have to win a game 7. They have to get through a "hot goalie" (a familiar playoff lament in DC.) Also, they have to close when being up 3 games to 1. Which shouldn't have to even be mentioned, but the Capitals give me no choice and it's one of those stats that do make you wonder if it is in the franchise's DNA to collapse at the pivotal moments. That they will wither and die in the end no matter how hard they struggle to push through the crack in the sidewalk or how beautifully they bloom throughout the season. Dammit, dad.

Just wanted to ramble on a bit this lazy Sunday morning. Caps should be fine, barring injury. They have great skill and great teamwork. They work fast and smart. They grind. They seem determined and focused. Deep in the playoffs its about getting the bounces and timely saves. I have faith in Holtby and the D to limit the amount of those timely saves needed and that the team can work hard enough to out puck-luck any team in a 7 game series. Looking forward to all the gut-wrenching anxiety of it.
- TheEllsProject

This is a great post! No disrespect to Chicago, Minn, Columbus and San Jose, but Pittsburgh (healthy) and Washington are the two best teams in the league and its not close. Its a shame they will probably have to play in round 2!