Even with them finishing first in the metro, this year's team still doesn't have the same level of expectations as the teams in '16 and '17. Maybe that works in their favor this time?
The Caps have been unlucky..ok I'll agree. But they have also been one of the healthiest teams in term of man games lost in the ovie era. Look at the stats, stanley cup winners are usually among the lowest man lost games in the league (Pitt is the exception) is that not also contributed to luck? So say they get bad bounces all you want they have been gifted healthy seasons for years..and that is luck all the same.
"People like to write off the Ovechkin era as a team incapable of winning"
Do you include yourself in "people", pretty sure not even a month ago you were writing from a very negative perspective, whining that the Caps are going to miss the playoffs and I laughed at your "the sky is falling" routine. You create your own drama James......and from an outside perspective it is absolutely a riot to read your emotional rollercoaster perspective.
Location: North Cederbrooke , ON Joined: 01.19.2017
Mar 16 @ 1:06 PM ET
The Caps have been unlucky..ok I'll agree. But they have also been one of the healthiest teams in term of man games lost in the ovie era. Look at the stats, stanley cup winners are usually among the lowest man lost games in the league (Pitt is the exception) is that not also contributed to luck? So say they get bad bounces all you want they have been gifted healthy seasons for years..and that is luck all the same. - RuutuRock’emLikeU2#37
That's true. If they've been healthier than most teams, and I don't have the n umbers on hand, but I'll take your word for it, that's just good luck.
Now, is that enough to balance out some very specific instances of bad luck? hard to say.
What I do know is that I once watched Washington lose to a garbage Habs team in game seven, a game that basically made Price's career, if I'm not mistaken, and seeing Alex Semin hit post after post. I saw the Capitals destroy the eventual cup winners last season to the tune of a hundred scoring chance differential over seven games, and still lose. I saw the tying goal in game seven hit the shaft of the goalies stick with just minutes to go, and of course there is the fact that the NHL seeds the teams so that the Pens and Caps always have to face each other too early.
Anyways, I acknowledge its a slippery slope argument (for instance, isn't it luck to get Ovechkin in the first place?) but all I'm saying is that the 'choke artist' narrative is BS because, like it or not, luck is a massive factor.
Location: North Cederbrooke , ON Joined: 01.19.2017
Mar 16 @ 1:07 PM ET
"People like to write off the Ovechkin era as a team incapable of winning"
Do you include yourself in "people", pretty sure not even a month ago you were writing from a very negative perspective, whining that the Caps are going to miss the playoffs and I laughed at your "the sky is falling" routine. You create your own drama James......and from an outside perspective it is absolutely a riot to read your emotional rollercoaster perspective. - Darklight11
Yeah you're missing what I'm saying big time. The Capitals over the last decade have a reputation that is undeserved. However, their team this year is pretty crappy. It's not that complicated and if I seem contradictory, well I am large; I contain multitudes.
That's true. If they've been healthier than most teams, and I don't have the n umbers on hand, but I'll take your word for it, that's just good luck.
Now, is that enough to balance out some very specific instances of bad luck? hard to say.
What I do know is that I once watched Washington lose to a garbage Habs team in game seven, a game that basically made Price's career, if I'm not mistaken, and seeing Alex Semin hit post after post. I saw the Capitals destroy the eventual cup winners last season to the tune of a hundred scoring chance differential over seven games, and still lose. I saw the tying goal in game seven hit the shaft of the goalies stick with just minutes to go, and of course there is the fact that the NHL seeds the teams so that the Pens and Caps always have to face each other too early.
Anyways, I acknowledge its a slippery slope argument (for instance, isn't it luck to get Ovechkin in the first place?) but all I'm saying is that the 'choke artist' narrative is BS because, like it or not, luck is a massive factor. - james_tanner1
Yeah you're missing what I'm saying big time. The Capitals over the last decade have a reputation that is undeserved. However, their team this year is pretty crappy. It's not that complicated and if I seem contradictory, well I am large; I contain multitudes. - james_tanner1
Undeserved?
Athletes, especially professional athletes, get judged on actual results, not woulda , coulda, shouldas.
They haven't gotten passed 2nd round in like forever...PERIOD.
Fair or unfair...until the Caps/Ovi do so than the narrative won't change.
"It's not that complicated and if I seem contradictory, well I am large; I contain multitudes"...
What you believe comes across as containing multitudes, truly comes across as emotional instability. It is obvious you fight your own emotions and lack the ability to see your own reflection. Containing multitudes would be the ability to "let go" and not be so emotional, that is your paradox James.
Location: North Cederbrooke , ON Joined: 01.19.2017
Mar 16 @ 2:06 PM ET
That's true. If they've been healthier than most teams, and I don't have the n umbers on hand, but I'll take your word for it, that's just good luck.
Now, is that enough to balance out some very specific instances of bad luck? hard to say.
What I do know is that I once watched Washington lose to a garbage Habs team in game seven, a game that basically made Price's career, if I'm not mistaken, and seeing Alex Semin hit post after post. I saw the Capitals destroy the eventual cup winners last season to the tune of a hundred scoring chance differential over seven games, and still lose. I saw the tying goal in game seven hit the shaft of the goalies stick with just minutes to go, and of course there is the fact that the NHL seeds the teams so that the Pens and Caps always have to face each other too early.
Anyways, I acknowledge its a slippery slope argument (for instance, isn't it luck to get Ovechkin in the first place?) but all I'm saying is that the 'choke artist' narrative is BS because, like it or not, luck is a massive factor. - james_tanner1
Actually now that I think about it, maybe it was Halek who was in net for that one.
Location: North Cederbrooke , ON Joined: 01.19.2017
Mar 16 @ 2:07 PM ET
"It's not that complicated and if I seem contradictory, well I am large; I contain multitudes"...
What you believe comes across as containing multitudes, truly comes across as emotional instability. It is obvious you fight your own emotions and lack the ability to see your own reflection. Containing multitudes would be the ability to "let go" and not be so emotional, that is your paradox James. - Darklight11
Gee thanks for the psych eval, I'll pass that on to Walt.
"It's not that complicated and if I seem contradictory, well I am large; I contain multitudes"...
What you believe comes across as containing multitudes, truly comes across as emotional instability. It is obvious you fight your own emotions and lack the ability to see your own reflection. Containing multitudes would be the ability to "let go" and not be so emotional, that is your paradox James. - Darklight11
"Either way, it's great to see them back in the dance, because it was touch and go there for a while. The team lost a ridiculous amount of talent over the summer, and a few times this season looked to be on the verge of collapse while racking up points in a smoke and mirrors style."
That's true. If they've been healthier than most teams, and I don't have the n umbers on hand, but I'll take your word for it, that's just good luck.
Now, is that enough to balance out some very specific instances of bad luck? hard to say.
What I do know is that I once watched Washington lose to a garbage Habs team in game seven, a game that basically made Price's career, if I'm not mistaken, and seeing Alex Semin hit post after post. I saw the Capitals destroy the eventual cup winners last season to the tune of a hundred scoring chance differential over seven games, and still lose. I saw the tying goal in game seven hit the shaft of the goalies stick with just minutes to go, and of course there is the fact that the NHL seeds the teams so that the Pens and Caps always have to face each other too early.
Anyways, I acknowledge its a slippery slope argument (for instance, isn't it luck to get Ovechkin in the first place?) but all I'm saying is that the 'choke artist' narrative is BS because, like it or not, luck is a massive factor. - james_tanner1
The best teams find ways to overcome adversity and win games when they matter. That is exactly the opposite of the Capitals the past 5 or 6 post seasons.
Caps have been a far better team since replacing the 2 rookies on D, and are an elite team when Backstrom and Kuz play like #1 centers. Had no injuries last year due to depth allowing all their top players to have career lows in minutes per game. Have been extremely unlucky in playoffs but as usual when adversity strikes in May we roll over faster than a French soldier
Caps have been a far better team since replacing the 2 rookies on D, and are an elite team when Backstrom and Kuz play like #1 centers. Had no injuries last year due to depth allowing all their top players to have career lows in minutes per game. Have been extremely unlucky in playoffs but as usual when adversity strikes in May we roll over faster than a French soldier - bondraovie
I think there will be two key's to the Capitals playoff success this year.
#1. Get Ovi on a roll, If you get him to 50 goals heading into the playoffs, it will get him and the entire team going at the perfect time.
#2. Embrace the underdog status. Everyone seems to be writing the Caps off before they even get to try. I believe this is a positive because they can kind of sneak in unnoticed and take advantage of that.
