https://youtu.be/UWndmEwMcNclol at crying Caps fan on intermission. I do prefer mopey but that was pretty good
You mad online?I hate sports. I hate the Caps. I hate the Penguins.
Mad? No. I'm used to this. DC Sports has prepared me for the disappointments in lifeYou mad online?
Epic Slava Malamud rant on Ovechkin and Leonsislove how Ovie is getting #### on when they all got robbed by MAF. I guess it comes with the territory but man that guy could use a break. vultures
Best. Post. Ever.People actually thought those chokers were going to win a Cup???? LMMFAO When will this place ever learn, Crapitals are a joke organization and ALWAYS WILL BE!! Jokevechkin just looks old and tired, a complete non factor 3rd line him. Whole team is a bunch of Choking Dog wannabes that will never win ANYTHING...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Let's be honest. Both of us know what I have to do here.
You've come to this page to see me write that the Capitals are — well, you know what they are.
And I have to write it, because I write it every year.
Because they do it every year.
Same old story: What's red, white and blue, and plays golf in April?
Excuse me, what's bronze, white and blue, and plays golf in April?
The Washington Capitals.
Choking Dogs.
I wrote it in small type, because this wasn't even one of their big chokes. As a historian of their gags, I don't put this in their top five. It doesn't rank with the 1987 foldo against the Islanders, when they lost the last three games — and Game 7 in four overtimes at home! Nor does it rank with the choke jobs against Pittsburgh in 1992 and '95, when they held 3-1 leads. I don't think it was as big a choke as the one in 1985, when a Caps team that had 101 points in the regular season blew a 2-0 lead, and lost three straight to the Islanders under the old, best-of-five format. I'll argue this wasn't as big a choke as in 1988, when the Caps lost three straight home games to the Devils.
But this was more than a hiccup.
I know all about the injuries. I know all about how Pittsburgh was a better team.
But the Capitals don't get off the hook simply because they lost to a better team — not when they put themselves in position to win. Individually, any one game may not have been choked, but collectively . . . .
The Caps were ahead 2-love in games and coming home! They had three of the next four at home, and they lost them all. In the critical Game 4, the game the Capitals absolutely, positively had to win to stay in the series, because they couldn't possibly depend on a team as good as Pittsburgh to lose three straight at home — the critical Game 4, the game the Capitals HAD to win to dispel the doubts, including their own — in that critical Game 4, the Caps held a two-goal lead, and lost slowly, agonizingly, in four overtimes.
Only a homer would say that's not choking.
You'd say it about Montreal, up 2-love, coming home.
It's the same with the Capitals. They had momentum, but they couldn't close. They couldn't push the puck past a second-string goalie. It's not what they gave up, it's what they didn't get.
Where the heck are the goal scorers?
(On other teams is where, right, David?)
Pittsburgh is allergic to defense. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 249-206. Shots, they got. If they had any real scorers besides Bondra, they would have won the thing.
Why can't the general manager bring in some scorers?
The Caps are gritty out of necessity. It's a virtue to work hard, but the Capitals have to out-work the other teams because management hasn't assembled enough gifted players to out-skate other teams.
You know, calling the Caps "Choking Dogs" used to be funny. But it isn't any more. Because it has been happening for 12 years. In nine of their past 12 playoffs the Capitals have either frittered away a substantial playoff lead or lost to a team they finished above in the regular season.
And it's not because of the Capitals' goalies.
It's because the Caps make everybody else's goalie look like Jacques Plante.
The coach of this team, Jim Schoenfeld, did a terrific job. He was outmanned and outgunned by Pittsburgh from here to the Pennsylvania border, yet he prepared his team so well they were able to win the first two games and stay competitive in two others. Considering all the injuries, Schoenfeld was like an Indy 500 mechanic who has to patch tires with bubble gum and spit. He's a keeper.
The Capitals' problem isn't the players they have — they tried their best — it's the players they don't have. The Messiers, the Lindroses, the Lemieuxs. The ones that can win Cups.
The GM brings in good players, but never great ones. The Caps have been treading water for years now; it appears it's getting harder and harder to bob above the surface.
The fans know this. They see the owner's money going to Chris Webber and Juwan Howard, and they question whether there's any left for comparable hockey talent. It doesn't look that way. It doesn't look as if the owner has made the same commitment to the Capitals as he has to the Bullets. (If he has, then what's the GM doing? Every year around the trading deadline, goal scorers start falling out of trees. How can the Caps be the only team that doesn't catch one?)
What it looks like is that the owner's happy to simply make the playoffs — first round and out is okay. That's why almost nobody in town believes in the Caps. That's why almost nobody in town thought the Capitals would actually win the series against Pittsburgh, even when they were ahead 2-0. Capitals fans have been conditioned by past failures to expect the worst, to expect: choking dogs.
The truth is that the blame lies with management more than with the players. The Capitals' organization has failed to improve this team. They fiddle while Rome burns.
Yesterday I was talking to a former Caps player, who told me of the torture of Game 4. He spoke of the crushing bad luck that always befalls the Capitals, from Pat LaFontaine to Petr Nedved. He spoke of Joe Juneau getting the first playoff overtime penalty shot in the whole history of the NHL, how Juneau had the series on his stick, and how, incomprehensibly, the puck began bouncing around like a Spaldeen and Juneau couldn't get off a shot. Bad luck. The former Cap looked at me with dark eyes, and asked plaintively, "Why can't they ever get some good luck?"
Good teams make their own good luck.
At least Ovi won't be late for his date at the world championships.Mad? No. I'm used to this. DC Sports has prepared me for the disappointments in life
Whole town was worried and I was over here like....WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT!!!Best. Post. Ever.
Same old story, Chokevechin will never win anything!At least Ovi won't be late for his date at the world championships.
And you did not disappoint. That's good shtick you've got there.Whole town was worried and I was over here like....WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT!!!
Hahaha, I bet you were! I was worried after that lethargic game six, but...Sheriff66 said:Whole town was worried and I was over here like....WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT!!!
After game 5, you would have thought the Caps won the Cup. The Caps fans were happy humans at the Verizon Center.Sheriff66 said:Whole town was worried and I was over here like....WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT!!!
1 out of 2 ain't bad. I have to mention as well that whatever Blues fans thought Yeo was "the man" now realize that he's a 1 series guy.Getzlaf15 said:LOL at Boudreau picking Caps to win tonight and Ducks breaking his Game 6/7 streak. If I were the Wild, I'd fire him right now.
I wasn't actually, all the pressure in the world was on them, home crowd made it worse, I loved our chances, Chokevechkin is a shell of his former self.Hahaha, I bet you were! I was worried after that lethargic game six, but...
...WE DID IT!!!!1!1!!1!!!
Participation trophy champsWhat does the design of the home of every Cap of the last generation have in common?
None of their houses have a kitchen. Because they just can’t stand the heat.
IMONorthern Voice said:Interesting thought I had during these games (well, after Washington was knocked out):
Who is the best goalie left in the playoffs? Are any of these guys even top ten in the league? Rinne has been but looked to be on the decline for large spans of the past two years. Pittsburgh arguably doesn't even know who their best goalie is. Anderson is really good and maybe underrated here. Gibson still has a lot to prove.
What is something that Caps fans can't say?Getzlaf15 said:That stupid Game 7 curse is over.
Not a fan of Erik Karlsson? He sure is fun to watch in my book.Northern Voice said:They're a good team but there's nothing there that makes me want to go out of my way to watch them, like there obviously is with the Oilers. I can't say I watched much of Ducks/Flames, and I like the Flames. Plus you lose the possible Crosby/McDavid storyline. I just think in terms of pace, star power and intrigue it would be better with the Oilers (and anyone but the Sens) in the final 4.
Ryan and Pageau haven't exactly been slouches. Love watching Ryan's, um, speed for a bigger guy.Not a fan of Erik Karlsson? He sure is fun to watch in my book.
I ####### hate the Sens and they play boring ### hockey, Karlsson and Anderson aside.Not a fan of Erik Karlsson? He sure is fun to watch in my book.
oh so we're back to the Caps need to trade Ovechkin (or should have already)JaxBill said:
it just doesn't feel like summer until this gets postedSheriff66 said:People actually thought those chokers were going to win a Cup???? LMMFAO When will this place ever learn, Crapitals are a joke organization and ALWAYS WILL BE!! Jokevechkin just looks old and tired, a complete non factor 3rd line bum . Whole team is a bunch of Choking Dog wannabes that will never win ANYTHING...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Let's be honest. Both of us know what I have to do here.
Matt MurrayNorthern Voice said:Interesting thought I had during these games (well, after Washington was knocked out):
Who is the best goalie left in the playoffs? Are any of these guys even top ten in the league? Rinne has been but looked to be on the decline for large spans of the past two years. Pittsburgh arguably doesn't even know who their best goalie is. Anderson is really good and maybe underrated here. Gibson still has a lot to prove.
wtf, why even internet?
He is getting ripped because he was responsible for Pens Goal 1. Puck went right by him. Didn't even try. Was too worried about getting a hit on someone that barely brushed him. Led to Pens having the advantage. Then he was partly responsible for Goal 2.Bill Brasky said:love how Ovie is getting #### on when they all got robbed by MAF. I guess it comes with the territory but man that guy could use a break. vultures
Must have been the guy weeping in the video abovewtf, why even internet?
lol, and what exactly were those? is this where we start talking about intangibles?But he can't make the adjustments that come in a playoff series where the other team has time to prepare.
How deep do you want me to go? it's not intangibles. It's Xs and Os.lol, and what exactly were those? is this where we start talking about intangibles?
go ahead. explain how a team that had a CF% over 60% and xGF% at 59% over 7 games against one of the other best teams in the league could have "made adjustments". this is clearly on Trotz.How deep do you want me to go? it's not intangibles. It's Xs and Os.
Caps outshot them in every single game. Sullivan's plan was the rope a dope?How deep do you want me to go? it's not intangibles. It's Xs and Os.
Not sure the coach was the story. I think Fleury was the main story, along with the sinking notion I get that I'd never want Ovie and Backstrom on my team as big-time guys in Game Seven. They looked kinda lost, scared, and timid. That's not intangibles, it's just the way they played. I don't know about clearing the puck with one hand for the second goal and Backstrom was just a nonentity. That's my take. Though Ovechkin got absolutely robbed and unlucky when it was 1-0.He is getting ripped because he was responsible for Pens Goal 1. Puck went right by him. Didn't even try. Was too worried about getting a hit on someone that barely brushed him. Led to Pens having the advantage. Then he was partly responsible for Goal 2.
Maybe FFtoday is more your speed
man, the FBG servers can barely handle all the traffic Sherriff is driving this morning
maybe Sullivan's plan was wanting it moreCaps outshot them in every single game. Sullivan's plan was the rope a dope?
Oh Yeah! There he is!Sheriff66 said:People actually thought those chokers were going to win a Cup???? LMMFAO When will this place ever learn, Crapitals are a joke organization and ALWAYS WILL BE!! Jokevechkin just looks old and tired, a complete non factor 3rd line bum . Whole team is a bunch of Choking Dog wannabes that will never win ANYTHING...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Let's be honest. Both of us know what I have to do here.
You've come to this page to see me write that the Capitals are — well, you know what they are.
And I have to write it, because I write it every year.
Because they do it every year.
Same old story: What's red, white and blue, and plays golf in April?
Excuse me, what's bronze, white and blue, and plays golf in April?
The Washington Capitals.
Choking Dogs.
I wrote it in small type, because this wasn't even one of their big chokes. As a historian of their gags, I don't put this in their top five. It doesn't rank with the 1987 foldo against the Islanders, when they lost the last three games — and Game 7 in four overtimes at home! Nor does it rank with the choke jobs against Pittsburgh in 1992 and '95, when they held 3-1 leads. I don't think it was as big a choke as the one in 1985, when a Caps team that had 101 points in the regular season blew a 2-0 lead, and lost three straight to the Islanders under the old, best-of-five format. I'll argue this wasn't as big a choke as in 1988, when the Caps lost three straight home games to the Devils.
But this was more than a hiccup.
I know all about the injuries. I know all about how Pittsburgh was a better team.
But the Capitals don't get off the hook simply because they lost to a better team — not when they put themselves in position to win. Individually, any one game may not have been choked, but collectively . . . .
The Caps were ahead 2-love in games and coming home! They had three of the next four at home, and they lost them all. In the critical Game 4, the game the Capitals absolutely, positively had to win to stay in the series, because they couldn't possibly depend on a team as good as Pittsburgh to lose three straight at home — the critical Game 4, the game the Capitals HAD to win to dispel the doubts, including their own — in that critical Game 4, the Caps held a two-goal lead, and lost slowly, agonizingly, in four overtimes.
Only a homer would say that's not choking.
You'd say it about Montreal, up 2-love, coming home.
It's the same with the Capitals. They had momentum, but they couldn't close. They couldn't push the puck past a second-string goalie. It's not what they gave up, it's what they didn't get.
Where the heck are the goal scorers?
(On other teams is where, right, David?)
Pittsburgh is allergic to defense. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 249-206. Shots, they got. If they had any real scorers besides Bondra, they would have won the thing.
Why can't the general manager bring in some scorers?
The Caps are gritty out of necessity. It's a virtue to work hard, but the Capitals have to out-work the other teams because management hasn't assembled enough gifted players to out-skate other teams.
You know, calling the Caps "Choking Dogs" used to be funny. But it isn't any more. Because it has been happening for 12 years. In nine of their past 12 playoffs the Capitals have either frittered away a substantial playoff lead or lost to a team they finished above in the regular season.
And it's not because of the Capitals' goalies.
It's because the Caps make everybody else's goalie look like Jacques Plante.
The coach of this team, Jim Schoenfeld, did a terrific job. He was outmanned and outgunned by Pittsburgh from here to the Pennsylvania border, yet he prepared his team so well they were able to win the first two games and stay competitive in two others. Considering all the injuries, Schoenfeld was like an Indy 500 mechanic who has to patch tires with bubble gum and spit. He's a keeper.
The Capitals' problem isn't the players they have — they tried their best — it's the players they don't have. The Messiers, the Lindroses, the Lemieuxs. The ones that can win Cups.
The GM brings in good players, but never great ones. The Caps have been treading water for years now; it appears it's getting harder and harder to bob above the surface.
The fans know this. They see the owner's money going to Chris Webber and Juwan Howard, and they question whether there's any left for comparable hockey talent. It doesn't look that way. It doesn't look as if the owner has made the same commitment to the Capitals as he has to the Bullets. (If he has, then what's the GM doing? Every year around the trading deadline, goal scorers start falling out of trees. How can the Caps be the only team that doesn't catch one?)
What it looks like is that the owner's happy to simply make the playoffs — first round and out is okay. That's why almost nobody in town believes in the Caps. That's why almost nobody in town thought the Capitals would actually win the series against Pittsburgh, even when they were ahead 2-0. Capitals fans have been conditioned by past failures to expect the worst, to expect: choking dogs.
The truth is that the blame lies with management more than with the players. The Capitals' organization has failed to improve this team. They fiddle while Rome burns.
Yesterday I was talking to a former Caps player, who told me of the torture of Game 4. He spoke of the crushing bad luck that always befalls the Capitals, from Pat LaFontaine to Petr Nedved. He spoke of Joe Juneau getting the first playoff overtime penalty shot in the whole history of the NHL, how Juneau had the series on his stick, and how, incomprehensibly, the puck began bouncing around like a Spaldeen and Juneau couldn't get off a shot. Bad luck. The former Cap looked at me with dark eyes, and asked plaintively, "Why can't they ever get some good luck?"
Good teams make their own good luck.