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

[aufheben]

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.

Not a dark horse, I think it's more of a "goes without saying" type thing.

 

[trick9]

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

Agree but for a different reason. Tampa is a great team but Capitals match up very well against them.

 

[libertarian]

The Caps are not a dark horse. They are a favorite to win it all no matter where they place in the PO's. Just like the Pens were and are today.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

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

Lol. OP Caps are in the top 5 on most betting sites to win the cup.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Lol OV on the Caps start to the regular season “try better, we not suck.” They will turn it up a notch when it counts, defending champs with similar roster.

 

[JasonRoseEh]

For me its Tampa

Once again the Cup will come out of the East and it's going to be decided again between the Bolts and Caps. This is basically Tampa's last kick at the cup as they are currently constructed, they simply can't retain all the talent they have, make or break and that's dangerous but the Caps know they can beat them and they've done it with this team already.

 

[kuzy92]

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.

A team win back to back cups?? When was the last time that happened?

 

[philip]

Calgary will rattle a few cages in the playoffs this year. They're my dark horse. Probably won't go on to win it all, but I think they'll exceed expectations.

 

[Taluss]

A team win back to back cups?? When was the last time that happened?

Again how is that relevant to what I’m saying? Did I give that as my reason? No. Reason being is that they have choked away tons of opportunities in the past, plus there are better teams than them this year

 

[613Leafer]

Could the defending champions who are currently #1 in their division be a "dark horse" for the Cup? Well that's quite the question...

 

[Perfect_Drug]

I don't think the OP knows what a 'Dark Horse' is.

It's a team that emerges to prominence that didn't seem likely to succeed. aka a Cinderella Team.


Montreal, Edmonton, or Minnesota could be considered Dark Horses. A Team leading their division can not be.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Caps will be a tough match up again. I hope we dont have to play them again, but would be interesting to see how our guys bounced back from losing to them last year.

 

[ricky0034]

Again how is that relevant to what I’m saying? Did I give that as my reason? No. Reason being is that they have choked away tons of opportunities in the past, plus there are better teams than them this year

are there though?

the only team that's been clearly better is Tampa,after that they're right there at the top this season with a few other teams

 

[Devil Dancer]

The Ovie Hart thread makes a lot more sense than this. I could see it if they were still 3rd in the Metro or something, but now? Nah.

 

[Taluss]

are there though?

the only team that's been clearly better is Tampa,after that they're right there at the top this season with a few other teams

Tampa, Toronto, Preds, Jets I’d take any day

They are in the Avs, Flames, Bruins group imo

 

[CptPicard]

Aren't they more like favorites? They don't have the pressure anymore.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Yes, OP. The Stanley Cup winning team that has been among the favorites to win the cups for the past half-decade is the "Dark Horse" lol. This isn't a silly question.

 

[Bladerunner]

Again how is that relevant to what I’m saying? Did I give that as my reason? No. Reason being is that they have choked away tons of opportunities in the past, plus there are better teams than them this year

Losing to strong Pens teams that went on to win the SC or strong contenders like NYR is "choking". By your definition of choking, about half the teams that make the playoffs each year "choked". I think the Caps have somewhat underachieved in the playoffs, chocking is one of those overused sports board pejoratives.

I doubt the Caps repeat b/c there is much parity in the NHL and upsets are relatively common in hockey. Amazes me how many fans act like it's still a 6 or 12 team league. Just extremely difficult to win four straight playoff series - even if you have one of the leagues better reg seasons. Currently Bolts (#1), Leafs, Preds, Jets, Flames too, are having strong reg seasons. However at best only one will win the SC... the other four will have choked

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Losing to strong Pens teams that went on to win the SC or strong contenders like NYR is "choking". By your definition of choking, about half the teams that make the playoffs each year "choked". I think the Caps have somewhat underachieved in the playoffs, choking is one of those overused sports board pejoratives.

I couldn't agree more. No one can ever lose anymore, everyone has to "choke". Almost seems like every team who doesn't win the cup every year "chokes" lol. It's ridiculous.

Toronto vs. Boston in 2013 is a "choke".

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Tampa, Toronto, Preds, Jets I’d take any day

They are in the Avs, Flames, Bruins group imo

Lolll thanks for the laugh.

 

[POVERTY]

Could the defending Stanley Cup champions be a dark horse to win the Stanley Cup?

 

[Taluss]

Lolll thanks for the laugh.

No worries

 

[Zazzaro703]

Their offense looks as good as it ever has over the last decade and when it comes time to actually start selling out to block shots when the real hockey starts they will be fine defensively too. Although, 11th in the league Goals Against at the moment isn’t exactly terrible. I really hope The Pens get the wild card that sends them over to the Atlantic so you all can deal with them.

At least they aren’t the Philly Eagles whom wont even get a title defense and will have their title stripped from them when the NFL playoffs start because they aren’t even going to make the tournament .

 

[Taluss]

Losing to strong Pens teams that went on to win the SC or strong contenders like NYR is "choking". By your definition of choking, about half the teams that make the playoffs each year "choked". I think the Caps have somewhat underachieved in the playoffs, chocking is one of those overused sports board pejoratives.

I doubt the Caps repeat b/c there is much parity in the NHL and upsets are relatively common in hockey. Amazes me how many fans act like it's still a 6 or 12 team league. Just extremely difficult to win four straight playoff series - even if you have one of the leagues better reg seasons. Currently Bolts (#1), Leafs, Preds, Jets, Flames too, are having strong reg seasons. However at best only one will win the SC... the other four will have choked

Truthfully can’t argue with that, I was wrong there. They certainly have underachieved numerous times, I can’t recall a “choke” in a series although there probably was a couple throughout.

Apologies, and also well worded.

 

[AD1066]

A white horse, even.