Caps lose first 2 games at home in the first round against the BJs. Same old Caps, only worse. Trotzy is hitting his Rolodex to secure a gig for next year, Ovi proves again he's a selfish Russian who could never win the big one, and DC continues to be a blah hockey market. They go into double-OT in Game 3 and find a way to win. The rest is history. Trotz is now HOF material and can call his shots on returning or taking another job, Ovi secures his position as one of the best players ever, and the streets of DC look like the CMA Fest.
If you review the Caps Board after Game 2 in the first round, their expert fans knew specifically why they wouldn't ever win it. Not enough speed, goaltending issues, issues "in the room", and the overall feeling that their "window" had shut.
Then it didn't. Same team. Same guys. Same issues.
Moral of the story. "Ya just never know".
The formula is, have a playoff-caliber team, make changes every year to get better, and then hope they get hot at the right time. Oh, and NEVER give up on them. Stick with your team so that when last night happens, you can feel the satisfaction of being resilient and rewarded. There's no better felling in fandom. That's why so many fan bases rooted against Vegas. As a fan base, you are not allowed to skip the soul-crushing defeats and the never-ending "wait until next year".
Next to the Preds parading the Cup, Trotz winning it was the next best thing. Part of Nashville won the Cup last night via Barry Trotz. He grew up with us and will always be one-of-us. It was heart warming. In this unforgiving world, it's nice to see the good-guy prevail for a change.
So what does this all mean for us? With zero changes to this team (but there will be some), we have just as much achance of winning the Cup next year as any team in the league. Yes our 2nd line disappeared and yes our d-men weren't difference makers and yes Pekka under-performed (again). But that doesn't mean its going to happen again. If that were true, the Caps would not have the Cup right now.
I focused on Ovi and Trotzy after the win. They both reached a mountaintop the experts said they'd never reach. AND THEY EMOTIONALLY SHOWED THE GRATITUDE FOR WINNING IT ALL AFTER SO MANY DISAPPOINTMENTS. Now close your eyes and picture Pekka hoisting the Cup over his head. Picture David Poile with his eyes misty looking over his creation parading the Cup. It can happen. That's what we're fighting for.
130 days until Opening night. Can't wait.