By Katie Brown (@callyourbluff)
It is obvious that the 2011-2012 Washington Capitals are unlike any incarnation of the team we’ve seen in years past. Gone are the days of the explosive run-and-gun offense and highlight-reel goals courtesy of Ovechkin and Semin. The Capitals struggled to adopt a more defensive system under Boudreau in the middle of last season, and one could argue it progressively led to his demise as it was the first time he’d attempted to coach this type of system in his career and was contradictory to the system he’d had in place for nearly three and a half seasons. It was well understood that a flashy offense would not consistently win games in the playoffs and attain the ultimate prize – a Stanley Cup – especially after four years and four premature early playoff exits for the team.
Now, with Dale Hunter behind the bench, preaching his gospel of gritty, defensive hockey, the Capitals are beginning to look like a different team. Struggles abound when learning a new system, and the Capitals are no exception to this. It’s hard to watch the President’s Trophy and Southeast Division championship-winning team of the not-so-distant past struggle night after night and mail in lackluster performances when we are accustomed to seeing complimentary scoring clinics put on by Alex Ovechkin and his comrades. That’s just not going to happen anymore, Caps fans, and it’s time we all got over it.
Some have argued the Capitals won’t make it to the playoffs this year. In fact, if playoffs started now, the Capitals wouldn’t have a spot, sitting at 10th place in the East. It’s difficult to maintain confidence in the Capitals based on team’s erratic performance this season, and I can’t fault those who feel that way about the team’s playoff chances a few months from now. But that’s just what it is – a few months from now. While it is difficult to balance realism with fanhood, it is equally important to consider both sides of the argument. I have faith in this team, and maybe I’m just accustomed to having my heart broken, my delicate hopes and dreams crushed every year by Washington-area sports franchises, but I refuse to give up on these guys. There are other teams worse off than the Caps these days, so let’s not forget that.
Ovechkin may not even score 30 goals this season, but don’t you think he’d trade all of his prior accolades for hoisting the Stanley Cup? I make no claims to be psychic, but I think that his teammates would echo that sentiment. Dale Hunter wants a freakin’ Stanley Cup too, and don’t forget that, either. There will be a moment when Hunter Hockey and Capitals Hockey become one, and it will be a beautiful, gorgeous, amazing moment, and you will one day regale your grandchildren with the tale of the sheer beauty of that moment.
What I’m trying to say is, don’t run for the hills, burn the barn or stab your neighbor with a pitchfork after the Caps lose a game. It might make you feel better, but stabbing people is illegal in most civilized parts of the world and is generally frowned upon. Sure, at this point in the playoff race, they need to scrape together all the points they can get, but a loss sandwiched between a few wins is nothing to whine about. If the losses start snowballing, legitimate concern is valid, but remember – this is not the team we’re used to seeing, but it’s high time we embraced them.
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So true words spoken for I have amended my expectations for this team. But that said I will stand by them! I think they will make the playoffs. What pains me the most right know is when they lose its not because they get out played its because they out play them self and the lack of standing up for each other and the worst thing us fans can do is give up and not stand up for them! So I leaving this comment of well said and lets hear it loud and proud LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look I am not giving up on the caps, their record could be as bad as the Columbus Blue Jackets and I would still watch every game but enough of this learning a new system garbage. That excuse works for maybe three or four days after a coaching change but assuming that the Capitals are coherent adults they should of picked it up by now. No my friends the problem lies in the players, it is just easier to change coaches. Get them all out or send them to the minors but just do something to tell them that not giving a damn is not okay. They have rarely broken 30 shots since Dale came in and every aspect of their game from the forwards right on down looks broken to me. I am so tired of hearing just wait and the success will come. It isn’t coming.
got mentioned on Ted’s Take http://www.tedstake.com/2011/12/28/sickunbelievable/ pretty cool stuff!!!
Hard to realize that the Caps are about where they were a year ago, right after that horrible 8 game losing streak. Those Caps did recover, until the playoff meltdown against Tampa, but there’s something terribly wrong about these under performers that doesn’t inspire the same level of confidence in a turnaround that we had a year ago. This team’s mentality has the fragility of a light bulb that shatters at the first sign of adversity. Their is no leadership on or off the ice. They’ve had a month to learn the new system, and have a 5-6-1 record to show for it. The fun is gone, and it’s only a matter of time when the fans, too, will depart.
Oh, sure, we’ll see an occasional flash of what the Caps are capable of being. And the season is far from over. In reality, they have a month, give or take. But if the Caps haven’t turned things around by February 1st — well past the half way point, with 2 mos left — we can just about toss this season in the circular file. The clock is ticking.
I just wish Ovie would ask for a trade and get out while he still can.
This is a good piece (although I didn’t know there were 10 teams in the Southeast division). Long time fans of the sport will know to temper their expectations. Here’s the way I look at it – they turn things around and maybe, just maybe, finally get to the promised land. They don’t, and the bandwagoners go running, lowering my ticket prices, shortening my wait in line for beer and bathrooms, and also resulting in no more dealing with leaners, cowbell ringers, idiots in batman costumes and red bodysuits, and other assorted obnoxious Caps “fans” at games.
Good catch, Hobo. Made the edit.
High time we embraced them? That is bizarro reality. We have embraced them for years. I personally have since 1974. This team need to come to each game with the fire and passion they should have. Period. The kool-aid has run the course. Right now they look helter-skelter. The desire and drive are missing. Ovie and Semin are MIA, and that is over $15 million dollars of talent being wasted. $15 million! To play a game??? If they can’t give it their all night in night out, why should the die hard fans? I hope they turn it around. Think this year is tough? Wait until the realignment next season. That will really be a mountain to climb.
Well put, Katie (and Ted gets the helper for pointing this post out). I’ll love this team regardless. As fun as the run and gun was, it wasn’t Caps hockey. Hunter will bring back the lunch pail style and the guys will learn (or not be here anymore) as the franchise re-stabilizes. I’m expecting some nature of run after the All Star break, but only time will tell. Thanks and great job.