Russo: Caps had no interest in being in the playoffs

[illpucks]

Yikes.

“Yeah, well, I mean the stories from inside the bubble about the Caps basically turning it into a vacation, having pool parties and things like that, you pretty much knew that they had no interest in being there,” Russo said when discussing the New York Islanders' easy series win over the Caps.

Capitals under fire after reports that they turned their playoffs into an extended summer vacation

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[Kcb12345]

Sounds like an excuse for a bad performance to me

Every team is doing fun stuff in the bubble

 

[generalshepherd141]

I understand that the Caps have had a lot of success over the last 15 years, and their Stanley Cup win of course. But I can't help but think this kind of attitude is probably the main reason this team has consistently underachieved in the playoffs.

It sucks that Reirden got thrown into leading this toxic locker room, and it'll certainly give their next head coach a headache too.

 

[generalshepherd141]

Sounds like an excuse for a bad performance to me

Every team is doing fun stuff in the bubble

There's a difference between having fun and caring about the task at hand. You can do both, one or the other, or neither.

Islanders are doing both. Caps were just having fun and didn't give two s***s about the playoffs.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

I can't believe I am going to defend the Capitals... but here I go:

First, I do not think ANYBODY wanted to be in the bubble in the first place. Second, I am not surprised that guys are trying to make the best of a shitty situation. Third, if you think hockey players do not party during the regular season or the playoffs, you are mistaken. These guys are FAMOUS humain beings in their 20s and 30s with a lot of money; of course they live the life. I mean, hell, I remember my early 20s and I did plenty of partying... but never missed a day of work. Plenty of us have.

I mean, I am sure you have guys who stayed in their rooms and played videogames until 3AM. Older guys with a wife and kids probably spent A LOT of time of facetime. The Caps may have a "funner" bunch than most and were hanging out more. Who knows and who cares? These guys are not robot and they are allowed to have fun when they are not working. Same as everybody. Does not mean they are not taking things seriously.

One thing I am 100% sure of is that every player and every team played to win once they got on the ice. That's how these guys are wired and if they weren't, they would never had made it to the NHL.

 

[Mulletman]

How did they get all the bikini babes to the pool party?! I thought the players were in a bubble to prevent the spread of the corona virus.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Sounds like an excuse for a bad performance to me

Every team is doing fun stuff in the bubble

If so, their excuse is more damning that the reality.

 

[Pandaman11]

They've had an extended party since June 2018

 

[tenken00]

If so, their excuse is more damning that the reality.

None of the recent Cup winners had a good showing. Having won a "real Cup" in a "real year", they all knew that this Cup isn't a real one.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

No duh

These guys knew this wasn't going to be a legit tournament. You could tell by the level of play for multiple teams.

This was an attempt to grab as much money as possible to not set the league back. The real play will continue next season

 

[Doctor No]

Yikes.

“Yeah, well, I mean the stories from inside the bubble about the Caps basically turning it into a vacation, having pool parties and things like that, you pretty much knew that they had no interest in being there,” Russo said when discussing the New York Islanders' easy series win over the Caps.

Capitals under fire after reports that they turned their playoffs into an extended summer vacation

Easy to look back and claim whatever you'd like to claim.

If Washington had swept the Islanders, the narrative would have been "The Capitals were relaxed and that allowed them to play their game."

 

[VinikToWinIt]

None of the recent Cup winners had a good showing. Having won a "real Cup" in a "real year", they all knew that this Cup isn't a real one.

Alright. Well as long as the fan apathy matches the team’s, I don’t see any issue.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Russo: Caps had no business being in the playoffs.....

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

So, nobody is gonna ask why a reporter supposedly covering a team in the Western bubble, Minnesota, would feel the need to write a critical article about a team that was playing in the Eastern bubble?

Was he at least in the Eastern bubble or has he just decided to go with heresay & fiction?

 

[tenken00]

Alright. Well as long as the fan apathy matches the team’s, I don’t see any issue.

Honestly, I dont think the Caps' lackadaisical play was the result of not caring about the playoffs. I think it was more a falling out between the players and coach Reirden. Something happened in that locker room, and we dont know what.

Hell, if Kypreos is to be believed, the Caps were talking to Babcock all the way back in Feb/March.

 

[Merrrlin]

I think this was pretty obvious when you look at how they played against NYI.

Zero commitment to detail, 80% effort, etc.

It's one of the reasons why I called Tampa NYI's first real test. Neither Philly (lost their defensive dominance with the break) nor Washington was really a worthy playoff opponent.

 

[Ryan Michaels]

I just think at this point with the Pens and Caps you either get a dialed in cup contender or the worst team in the playoffs, I don't really get why I doubt it's because they don't care(that's such an overused excuse). I'd say when they're on they look like playoff hardened veterans and when they're off they just look old and slow.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Were they hanging out in Kuznetsov's room alot? If so, this story might have some legs

 

[Ryan Michaels]

has he just decided to go with heresay & fiction?

Oh, I always just assumed that was industry standard?

 

[Ryan Michaels]

No duh

These guys knew this wasn't going to be a legit tournament. You could tell by the level of play for multiple teams.

This was an attempt to grab as much money as possible to not set the league back. The real play will continue next season

I see why this line of thinking would help a Rangers fan sleep at night.

 

[Master P]

No duh

These guys knew this wasn't going to be a legit tournament. You could tell by the level of play for multiple teams.

This was an attempt to grab as much money as possible to not set the league back. The real play will continue next season

 

[Unspecified]

None of the recent Cup winners had a good showing. Having won a "real Cup" in a "real year", they all knew that this Cup isn't a real one.

Last time i checked they will be handing out the actual Stanley Cup and not one made from paper cups so yea its a real championship. Just because the Caps got their asses kicked they had to release this BS response.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I see why this line of thinking would help a Rangers fan sleep at night.

Cute attempt at making a joke but I couldn't have gave less f***s what happened with the Rangers this tournament. I wanted the 12.5% shot at Lafreniere and we ended up winning him

Yawn

call me when the Lightning win something that isn't the regular season.

 

[Master P]

Cute attempt at making a joke but I couldn't have gave less f***s what happened with the Rangers this tournament. I wanted the 12.5% shot at Lafreniere and we ended up winning him


Yawn

call me when the Lightning win something that isn't the regular season.

I'd say the same for the rangers but I don't have a landline anymore.

 

[tenken00]

Last time i checked they will be handing out the actual Stanley Cup and not one made from paper cups so yea its a real championship. Just because the Caps got their asses kicked they had to release this BS response.

Wait. Who released this BS response? Check again. It wasn't the Caps, but a Minnesota Wild beat reporter in Edmonton?