Recently, before the hordes of media, growing steadily as the season progresses, the reigning Jack Adams trophy winner Bruce Boudreau mused that this Washington Capitals squad is not quite in “rarefied air” yet. With all of its unqualified successes just in this 2008-09 season to date, a course chartered through choppy seas of comprehensive injury setbacks and goaltending unease, this longtime Caps fan feels disoriented from those dizzying heights into which we’re climbing.
I’ve been hesitant to write about this completely unprecedented feeling I’ve been having this season. The one experienced watching the unthinkable, such as, most-recently, the instant classic comeback at the Garden on December 23rd. Making the heart of even the most jaded, hardened, pessimistic fan leap with unbridled joy. And of course, I’m far from the only one who feels it. The history of the franchise is mostly one of hard-work and gutsy efforts, and dreams deferred indefinitely.
capitals.nhl.com
As you probably know already, this season’s edition of Les Capitals became the first team since 1991-92’s bunch to earn 50 points before New Year’s Day, the only other season in franchise history when that feat was accomplished. And of course, the Caps also now have the best record in franchise history through 40 games. The unparalleled success carries on at the AHL level, in Hershey, as well.
By my count, you’d have to go back to that 1991-92 team again for the last instance in which, as the calendar turns to a new year, a playoff berth is far from in doubt. When games at this juncture of the campaign don’t feel like playoff games, where every point earned is vital to surviving the regular season test and every loss leaves some hopeless for barreling into the Verizon Center on an April evening with a Caps’ playoff ticket in hand. Rather, these games are serving as steps on a steady ascent to even loftier standings goals.
Of course, every game and every point is still important, and we know from last season that, despite the current NHL points system, teams with a seemingly insurmountable lead in December and January can be overtaken. And stripped of a playoff punch card on the final weekend of the regular schedule.
But I’m genuinely struggling to get my head around this season. Call me uncomfortable with this historic success. I’m used to ruminating on the Caps’ record on a daily basis, anxiously following scores of other games, and compulsively reviewing what the team must do to make the playoffs. Now, I take an occasional glance at the division standings and I’m incredulous. It seemed that seizing control of the division was November’s news.
capitals.nhl.com
It’s nearly unheard of in Caps’ country to be thinking about the Eastern Conference title, perhaps even the Presidents’ Trophy.
Saturday night at the Irish Channel post-game, I enjoyed a couple celebratory rounds with friends and fellow bloggers. We discussed the topic that will become increasingly popular over the next month: what GM George McPhee will cook up for the next trade deadline frenzy, which wonderful day is March 4th this season. (Mark that on your calendar for a sick or vacation day.)
Honestly, I was hard-pressed to come up with any element that the current team ”needs” to have. (Other than good health.) I’m sure most of you could have, and did, easily divine grand schemes to upgrade the team in seasons past, plea for the necessary pieces to the puzzle to be brought to DC. Even just enough pieces to see the puzzle pattern.
But this season? Assuming that José Théodore really has turned some kind of corner following the meltdown / redemption of December 23 (he is now 5-0, with a 1.50 GAA and .943 SV% since the beginning of the second period of that game @ NYR), and Brent Johnson’s hip remains stable enough to play through, I can’t think of any change of personnel this team must undergo to make a legitimate run for the Cup.
The salary cap constrains the imagination, for sure. But it also means that, in effect, any team from top to bottom is something less than an ideal mix of talent. If this Caps team doesn’t have a nearly ideal mix already, I can’t think of anything to add to the recipe than an extra dash of salt.
Is this stretch from January to April 11th just a nice, smooth, fun ride, without worrying about running out of gas or the wheels coming off? ”Relax and enjoy” much better describes my pastimes outside of Capitals hockey.
I better have a seat; I’m feeling light-headed.
11 comments
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January 5, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Sct112
There is no doubt that we are in territory that hasn’t been explored by the Caps (or any other Washington team) in a long time. Sell out crowds in Chinatown aren’t hoping for, but are expecting wins. It will take a little getting used too, but man, I’m looking forward to the learning curve.
January 5, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Mike
I would still like a top 4 defensemen.
January 5, 2009 at 12:53 pm
pepper
Mike, I suppose I would too – though Tom Poti certainly qualifies. And he’s missed 17 games and counting, and we’re still winning.
January 5, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Shaggy
The Hindus say this about reincarnation, at least the ones on Wikipedia do
“As a person puts on new clothes and discards old and torn clothes,
similarly an embodied soul enters new material bodies, leaving the old bodies.”
Sounds like our new Caps, and Ovechkin is Red Brahmin.
January 5, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Lisa
Great post, captured my feelings exactly. I can see a Cup run, although probably not a Cup, in 2009. The pieces are there but for the latter, I think we need more experience on D and more toughness, both mental and physical. And we’re certainly not above a goalie implosion either.
Even so, I feel a sense of euphoria that’s hard to explain to a non-Caps fan. I’ve even watched the 3rd period of the “instant classic comeback” against the Rangers four times because I didn’t want to let it go. Sick.
January 5, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Reed Caps Kremlin
I’d take a Stanley Cup over the President’s Trophy any day of the week.
January 5, 2009 at 2:11 pm
this space for rent
@Lisa: I can see a Cup run, although probably not a Cup, in 2009.
Did you see a playoff series for this team this time last year?
Being a relatively new Caps fan (yes, I’m a product of last year) I can’t say that I can truly relate to what you’re describing, but I have my own way of looking at it.
I really feel like with this team, the sky’s the limit. Don’t stop believing, indeed. You can’t count these guys out and you can’t look away – they’re compelling and exciting to watch and they make you want to believe in them. Just as importantly, the Caps are one of the “good guy” teams in the NHL. They don’t take cheap or dirty shots and they help each other out. AO’s reaction to Heward getting hurt is all the proof we need of that.
Slowly but surely, the local mainstream media is starting to take notice, if only because in the journalism world, the last one in really is a rotten egg. Whether it pans out, who knows? A lot of journalists don’t like hockey because “it’s too violent”. (And yet, somehow, watching a bunch of monster guys fall all over each other is good sport. Go fig.)
I think the sentiment I hear in the Metro almost every game day from someone who looks at my Backstrom jersey sums it up best: “Well, at least we’ve got one local team that’s winning.”
January 5, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Ben
Lisa I have to disagree with your assessment that we lack physical and mental toughness. We are the most physical team in the East along with the Flyers and Bruins. We hit hard, fast, and follow the leader (Ovechkin) in that regard. Even Semin is fighting now!
And please excuse the incredulity but how can you even suggest we’re not mentally tough? That’s our biggest strength!! We come back from being down multiple goals often. We battled back from 3-1 down against the Flyers. We never lose twice in a row (unless our lineup is ravaged). And need I even mention the backs-against-the-wall streak at the end of the regular season last year? We have guys who have won at every level they play, want to win badly, and a coach who can get it out of them. If the chips are ever down, we have the superstar to lift everyone too.
The lack of experience on D is our most glaring weakness (aside from shaky goaltending), but it’s stronger than 75% of the league still. I think we’re ready for a Cup now. I don’t see why not.
January 5, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Lisa
@Ben:
Good points on the mental toughness. Maybe too many years as a Caps fan have made me cynical although I have an abundance of hope. I think the players believe but it remains to be seen if they can do it the playoffs. Either way, I’ll be there cheering them on.
As for physical toughness, I’m incredulous you’re using Semin as one of your examples but I can appreciate the enthusiasm.
January 5, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Russ
Ugh…way to early for this.
We aren’t even at the official half way point and two weeks ago we were all worried about the state of our goaltending. 5 wins by Theodore is nice, but we need more time to sit back and get comfortable about a team/franchise that has not won a playoff series since 1998 when they lost the Cup Finals.
Furthermore, The Caps lead the division by 10 points, which is only 5 games. We have 3 games left against the Canes. It is way to early for this. I just hope you haven’t jinxed us.
January 5, 2009 at 4:51 pm
kiltedcap
Its been fun to watch thats for sure..:)
I have one concern though and that is the injuries and what is going to happen now almost everybody is healthy? Alzner is only here as we kept Clark then Federov on the LTIR list. Federov is skating again and looks to be coming of the list this weekend putting us over the cap again. Maybe this will mean the Nylander trade will finally happen…:P