Well...They didn't close out game 1. They forced OT in game 2. Lets not make it sound like the OT is always the Caps blown game. I have no issue with the OT wins. They count the same. In fact there was a time the Caps always lost if it went OT. Not the case anymore.
Forced OT in game 2 after blowing a 3-1 lead.
In a vacuum OT wins count the same but over a longer period sample size it also tells you there’s been some issues in a 60 minute game. Look, im not saying they are playing bad in the playoffs. I’ve watched every one of those series and often i think they’re playing pretty good hockey. But in the playoffs they don’t seem to have the routine of getting it done in regulation. A lot of the time they put themselves in a position to win, or are right there in a close game, but then the mental errors hit and the game takes a turn, and im not talking just about losing leads. Going to OT’s so much decreases your chances to win games mathematically, especially if we’re talking 4 playoff rounds.
I think the Caps have a good core. But if they want to go on a long run one of these years they have to find a way to play a more reliable game to get that belief system in place knowing if they play well and just keep on rolling with their game they can get it done. Too often it feels like they’re right there but something bad is about to happen, its almost like constant coin flipping.
Obviously their playoff history for sure matters, afraid of making mistakes in key moments is natural when you’ve gone through all those negative experiences. And im not sure what they have to do, but i know what they’ve been doing these past couple years is not going to work if they want to go on a long run. They have to find something new that gives the team better composure and sparks some extra confidence.
For example Preds won 12 playoff games in regulation last year. They were comfortable in 1 goal games. That’s how you ultimately get success.