Could the Caps be a dark horse to win the cup.

[PB12]

A lot of talk about the Maple Leafs and Lightning being the favorites but are the Caps the dark horse pick. First concern people are going to bring up is Holtby. All i can say about that is not to worry. The one thing about Holtby is in his career, even when he is struggling, the guy always takes it to the next level when the lights shine the brightest. The biggest concern is the Caps defense. If they can get that fixed, do you guys like the Caps as the dark horse pick in the East and maybe win the cup again.

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[Luigi Lemieux]

Yes the defending champion that has their cup winning team intact is a dark horse.

 

[FerrisRox]

A lot of talk about the Maple Leafs and Lightning being the favorites but are the Caps the dark horse pick. First concern people are going to bring up is Holtby. All i can say about that is not to worry. The one thing about Holtby is in his career, even when he is struggling, the guy always takes it to the next level when the lights shine the brightest. The biggest concern is the Caps defense. If they can get that fixed, do you guys like the Caps as the dark horse pick in the East and maybe win the cup again.

Their the defending Stanley Cup Champions with the same roster. Of course they are contenders.

What kind of fool would think the Maple Leafs are bigger contenders than the Capitals?

 

[Taluss]

Win the cup 2 years in a row? I’d bet a lot of $ that they won’t. Although it is as if they had a mental block when it comes to the playoffs for the last however many years. Maybe the cup can push that away.

 

[780il]

How tf are the defending champs a "dark horse" this year?

Lmao

 

[PB12]

Their the defending Stanley Cup Champions with the same roster. Of course they are contenders.

What kind of fool would think the Maple Leafs are bigger contenders than the Capitals?

I think the Caps beat the Leafs if they met in the playoffs. But there are some people who are putting the Leafs ahead of the Caps because of Holtby. Not worried about him. Tampa on the other hand....

By the way, love the Carl Racki photo.

 

[McClelland]

The regular season is just a warm up for playoffs for the good teams, You dont win any cups in the regular, Caps cup to lose !

 

[crackdown44]

Win the cup 2 years in a row? I’d bet a lot of $ that they won’t. Although it is as if they had a mental block when it comes to the playoffs for the last however many years. Maybe the cup can push that away.

Yeah no team has won the cup two years in a row since 2017

 

[JasonRoseEh]

What even is this thread? The Caps are the champs and every bit, if not better now. They haven't been healthy once this year and are out there taking it to everyone. They can beat any team in the league, are as skilled and as physical as any team in the league, have an elite PP and elite goaltender. How can you put any team ahead of them come playoff time is beyond me.

The 5 best teams in the league are the Caps, Preds, Bolts, Jets and then maybe the Leafs. The Leafs can't be the favorite for anything until they actually you know, win a playoff round.

 

[sadpanda]

8.8/10

 

[Tage2Tuch]

How can they be a dark horse when Ovi guaranteed we not suck back 2 back or whatever he said

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

We're playing better than last year and haven't had a full lineup at any point this season. The pressure is off and it shows. We have the best goal scorer in history who is somehow playing almost better than ever, the 2nd best 1-2C punch in the league, a solid D core and the best playoff goalie in the league. We can play the skill game, speed game and physical game all at an elite level and I don't think any other team in the league can do that. I'm confidently picking the caps in a series against any team, not afraid of anyone (close with the pens though).

 

[PB12]

We're playing better than last year and haven't had a full lineup at any point this season. The pressure is off and it shows. We have the best goal scorer in history who is somehow playing almost better than ever, the 2nd best 1-2C punch in the league, a solid D core and the best playoff goalie in the league. We can play the skill game, speed game and physical game all at an elite level and I don't think any other team in the league can do that. I'm confidently picking the caps in a series against any team, not afraid of anyone (close with the pens though).

For me its Tampa

 

[Taluss]

Yeah no team has won the cup two years in a row since 2017

Are you trying to make a point or... I’m confused on how this has anything to do with what I said

 

[Revelation]

If they manage to trade for the missing piece at the deadline for a 2nd year in a row

 

[Carlzner]

Only on HFBoards can the reigning Cup Champs be considered a dark horse

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Lol, could the reigning champs be a dark horse to win the cup?

I mean, jeez...that sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud.


Say it out loud.

 

[Coffey]

Only on HFBoards can the reigning Cup Champs be considered a dark horse

We have the brightest posters!

 

[Carlzner]

For me its Tampa

I'm not scared of Tampa. Bigger Paper Tiger than any of those regular season Caps teams

 

[TRASHCAT]

As a caps fan I burst out laughing reading the title.

 

[TRASHCAT]

Yeah no team has won the cup two years in a row since 2017

I was a wee lad in those distant days

 

[cgf]

No, the defending champs can not, by definition, be a dark horse.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

I'm not scared of Tampa. Bigger Paper Tiger than any of those regular season Caps teams

k

 

[Hoek]

I'm not scared of Tampa. Bigger Paper Tiger than any of those regular season Caps teams

Lol wat. This "paper tiger" made it deeper than any of those regular season Caps teams, 3 out of 4 seasons.

I do agree you shouldn't be scared, though. Already beat us once.

 

[behemolari]

How tf are the defending champs a "dark horse" this year?

Lmao

after all it's a Leafs season, the cup is already given to them. of course everyone else outside Leafs is a dark horse