What do the Caps need in order to get to the next level?

[VirginiaBob]

They are still in this. It's not over.

ok Rocky! "It Ain't ever till it's over!" haha. Unfortunately Rocky had heart. this team does not.

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

better luck is what they need

they have outplayed the pens, dominating shots on net and puck possession

who would've thought fleury would stand on his head?

 

[Paranoid Android]

A coach with playoff success. They fired BB because of his lack of playoff success, and replaced him with Trotz who had even less playoff success.

 

[NuxFan09]

I don't even no anymore. They've got everything they could possibly need. It's just not happening for them.

 

[2ndGenIslander]

I don't even think this is about the caps. I think Pitt is just at a point where they have the players, coaching, experience, and ability to execute and the Caps just keep running into them in the post season and can't get over the hump

 

[Hank Plank]

The Caps are not out of it, good gawd. Fill the net next game and Fleury may never gain his confidence back.

 

[SEALBound]

Trotz as your coach and Ovechkin as your captain. Start there.

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

They need a real number one defenseman, Carlson is one of the more overrated players in the league.

 

[TeeTee]

I think they need an honest assessment of AO. Don't get caught up in his past regular season success. He is starting to look like the old version of Willie Mays.

 

[EhlersPLDConnor]

Backstrom needs a backbone. Man up, step up and stop relying on Ovechkin

 

[2 Minute Minor]

So we're just choosing to forget Dumoulin getting a hooking penalty for Oshie holding his stick? Refs miss calls. Players partake in gamesmanship. It's a hockey play. Caps fans and evidently neutral observers seem to have very selective memories.

I'm not ignoring that. But in the last 2 minutes of a playoff game, you have to get the call right, or don't make one.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

A captain that doesn't have yellow laces.

I think there is a place for exhuberance and originality in this game. And even room for players with large egos if they are properly contained and utlized. But you don't give players like Ovechkin and Subban letters on their jersey unless you're alright with a weak locker room.

These guys are incredible talents that should be working their magic on the ice, not put into leadership positions when that's not their strong point. On the contrary, they need strong leaders around them.

Ovechkin is an amazing player who needs a change of scenery with a team that will put clear boundaries. If that happens, he'll be a hell of an asset. But he has become a liability with the Caps.

 

[Phil McKraken]

Forsberg didn't play a single game those playoffs. Maybe you should remove that picture.

He didn't? Check again, 14 points in 11 games.

 

[Cor]

Trade Ovechkin for a huuuge return

 

[T REX]

Avoid the Penguins. Seriously there's no doubt in my mind they would win the cup this year if they didn't have to face the Penguins.

They struggled against Toronto. It's mental toughness and they lack it.

 

[Nakawick]

A prime Rocket winning OV would certainly help them this year. The caps are solid and structured and balanced, but they are not explosive anymore. When was the last time OV scored a goal outside of his perch? He is a one trick pony now. His ability to score off the rush is gone.

 

[hansomreiste]

Definitely heart. More specifically North American skaters. These flashy Russians/Swedes don't know how to win.

LOL, what an idiotic statement. If having heart is something about nation, I can very easily say that those guys who eat steel for breakfast in Russia have way more of it than North Americans.

 

[Drakon]

This year? Goaltending. They can't even try to play their game when they're down by 1 after 5 minutes on a savable shot.

 

[Sam Spade]

Tank for three of four seasons in a row, like all the good teams* of today have done, pick top three, profit.

*unless you are the Sabres

Start next season and get Rasmus Dahlin.

 

[Deflectrick]

Tank for three of four seasons in a row, like all the good teams* of today have done, pick top three, profit.

*unless you are the Sabres

Edmonton didn't make the playoffs for like 10 seasons.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Tank for three of four seasons in a row, like all the good teams* of today have done, pick top three, profit.

*unless you are the Sabres

Start next season and get Rasmus Dahlin.

They already tried that.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

At this point, just change your name to the 'Generals' and get it over with.

 

[Sam Spade]

They already tried that.

No they didn't. They need to go full Penguin/Oiler and tank for like four straight seasons.

No more enigmatic Russian

Which one of Orlov, Kuznetsov or Ovechkin would you describe as "enigmatic"?

Ovechkin is an amazing player who needs a change of scenery with a team that will put clear boundaries. If that happens, he'll be a hell of an asset. But he has become a liability with the Caps.

You make it seem like Ovechkin is in trouble off the ice or fighting with coaches/teammates all the time.

He has had one team violation in 12 years, has done everything the coaches have told him to do while continuing to score goal after goal.

Unbelievable.

 

[Zen Arcade]

No they didn't. They need to go full Penguin/Oiler and tank for like four straight seasons.

Oh that's right, when the Caps gutted their roster over the span of a few months and traded 5 of their top 6 scorers they were "rebuilding."

 

[Drakon]

Oh that's right, when the Caps gutted their roster over the span of a few months and traded 5 of their top 6 scorers they were "rebuilding."

You mean the one and a half years they were bad? Compared to the 5 your franchise didn't try to ice a winning team?