We can withstand a Casper the friendly Kuzy act this year far better than we did last year. The scoring depth is less focused on just the top two lines. I "think" we can get passed the Leafs without all 4 lines producing but I'm not sure about the pens/jackets let alone the ECF/SCF.
Capitals Juggernaut
- Thread starter ChiefWiggum
- Start date
We can withstand a Casper the friendly Kuzy act this year far better than we did last year. The scoring depth is less focused on just the top two lines. I "think" we can get passed the Leafs without all 4 lines producing but I'm not sure about the pens/jackets let alone the ECF/SCF.
Halak was great, but I don't think that he was insane in those two series.
Halak GP 13 / W-L 8-5 / Min 745 / GAA 2.42 / SV% .933 /SA60 36.2
Andersen in his last 13 full games:
GP 13 / W-L-OTL 9-2-2 / Min 789 / GAA 2.05 / SV% .938 / SA60 33.1
Now, of course, Halak was playing stronger opponents than Andersen was (while at the same time Andersen was not healthy during this stretch either), but I don't think that what Halak did was out of the realm of possibilities for most number goalies in the NHL.
Hawks and Kings and Pens have dominated for so long, that half the league feels like chokers. Capitals, Wild, Blues, Rangers, Sharks, Ducks - all make playoffs every year and none have a Cup recently. It's so hard to win the Stanley Cup - too many variables to just hand it to the best team on paper, which Washington certainly is.
JaegerDice
The mark of my dignity shall scar thy DNA
- Dec 26, 2014
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2008 Red Wings and 2013 Blackhawks were basically viewed as sure bets heading into the playoffs.
The List Of Jericho
Judas effect
Uh, in the NBA, if all the favs win, 1 takes on 4 and 2 faces 3 it's very similar just slightly worse.
Kamiccolo
Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.
I feel like they are getting over rated due to facing what is perceived as the weakest team first. I think a lot of fans see a relaxed easy series to "warm up" while the pens/cbj beat the hell of each other and show up worn down in the 2nd round.
I think some fans will be surprised. Leafs won't make it easy.
I think some fans will be surprised. Leafs won't make it easy.
Listen. Penguins don't lose back to back.
Caps can try anything they want. They can callup everyone they want.
Penguins still get a split in first 2 games.
Then they can easily win both at home.
Then it's a wrap for the Caps who are down 3-1 in the series despite having home ice.
Caps can try anything they want. They can callup everyone they want.
Penguins still get a split in first 2 games.
Then they can easily win both at home.
Then it's a wrap for the Caps who are down 3-1 in the series despite having home ice.
613Leafer
Registered User
- May 26, 2008
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2009-2010 Washington finished with 121 points, an 8 point lead over 2nd place in the league. They lost in the first round.
Mats13
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leaflover
Stanley Cup 2022
I tried not to buy into the Capitals but by Christmas it was impossible to ignore the depth and quality.
Then they added to it.
us all. 
Then they added to it.
us all. 
SUBdrewgANS
Let's Go Pens!
They didn't have the defense or goaltending to go deep. They were obviously flawed. They just scored a **** ton of goals which works in the regular season but not in the playoffs.
Alexander the Gr8
Registered User
Caps should have won last year.
Holtby played well enough to win the SC, the defense played well enough to win the SC, the coaches did their job, the owners paid the players to play....the offense failed.
So, as Babcock said, "pressure is a funny thing".
The key this year will be the Kuzi line IMHO. The Kuzi/Williams/Johannson line must play better. Kuzi must play better. They are good but not SC good.
Go Caps
Holtby played well enough to win the SC, the defense played well enough to win the SC, the coaches did their job, the owners paid the players to play....the offense failed.
So, as Babcock said, "pressure is a funny thing".
The key this year will be the Kuzi line IMHO. The Kuzi/Williams/Johannson line must play better. Kuzi must play better. They are good but not SC good.
Go Caps
ALLCAPSALLTHETIME
Great Dane! Love that Eller feller.
Meh. Being champions on paper means nothing.
There is a lot of parity in the League.
It'll be a grind. We'll see what happens.
There is a lot of parity in the League.
It'll be a grind. We'll see what happens.
too funny because isn't that what the non caps fans want? Doubt they'll be crying in their beer when the Caps get choked out.
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discobob
Listen... do you smell something?
That was a good team... BUT...
Just look at the rest of the Southeast that season and compare it to this years Metro and you can see a huge difference.
Pharrell Williams
watch me whip and nae nae
ChiHawks10
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Oilers made the playoffs, Wings missed, why wouldn't this year be the year the Caps break through!? 
But seriously, surprised to be reading people saying the Caps were viewed as the best team in the East last lead heading into the playoffs.
IMO the Pens were clearly head and shoulders above everyone from the coaching change on forward. The Capitals didn't choke anything last year, they lost to a better roster with a better coach.
Say what you will about the Caps history but this year they look very deep at every position, very talented, and very well coached. It's of course not a lock that they win, because there's so much luck involved, but I know a Cup-caliber team when I see one and the Capitals are it.
But seriously, surprised to be reading people saying the Caps were viewed as the best team in the East last lead heading into the playoffs.
IMO the Pens were clearly head and shoulders above everyone from the coaching change on forward. The Capitals didn't choke anything last year, they lost to a better roster with a better coach.
Say what you will about the Caps history but this year they look very deep at every position, very talented, and very well coached. It's of course not a lock that they win, because there's so much luck involved, but I know a Cup-caliber team when I see one and the Capitals are it.
Harpo
Lyle forever
Halak's stats are skewed by a couple of blowouts. He was insane in the last 3 games against the Caps with the Habs trailing 3-1 in the series. He was also fantastic after game 1 against Pittsburgh.
NeedleInTheHay
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Luigi Lemieux
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It's easier to say that in retrospect though. For example in the 2016 finals, 16 out of 21 of nhl.com's analysts picked San Jose to win. Before the playoffs, only 1 out of 21 picked Pittsburgh to win the cup. Capitals were seen as the favorites to come out of the east.Oilers made the playoffs, Wings missed, why wouldn't this year be the year the Caps break through!?
But seriously, surprised to be reading people saying the Caps were viewed as the best team in the East last lead heading into the playoffs.
IMO the Pens were clearly head and shoulders above everyone from the coaching change on forward. The Capitals didn't choke anything last year, they lost to a better roster with a better coach.
Say what you will about the Caps history but this year they look very deep at every position, very talented, and very well coached. It's of course not a lock that they win, because there's so much luck involved, but I know a Cup-caliber team when I see one and the Capitals are it.
https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-experts-picks-for-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-280133146
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