I don't have time to get into all the reasons I hate the Caps (it starts at the top with the owner and goes all the way down to large portions of the fan base, hitting the PR guy, the coach, and the stars on the way and mostly has to down with all of the above being either extremely thin-skinned or a creepy douchebag), but I hate them and watching them lose in the first round after going up 3-1 in the series because they couldn't score goals, something no one predicted would be a problem? A-mazing. Game 7 of that series might have saved the playoffs for me. I think I can watch them now and I wasn't sure I could 48 hours ago.
And honestly, the Caps getting upset in the first round makes me feel better about the Sabres. Don't get me wrong, the Sabres have problems that need to be addressed, that much is clear. But the NHL playoffs are a weird and wonderful beast. You just never know. Winning a championship is hard. Talent is a huge part of that but there a million other little things that come into play and all those things have to break just right for the last team standing. All season long local media types and some fans talked about how the Caps were clearly a cut above the Sabres. They were more talented and they played harder and more intense. But in the end the Caps and Sabres ended up in exactly the same place for exactly the same reason: out in the first round because no one could finish when their teams needed them to. Who saw that coming? Still bummed about the Sabres, but I don't know, this is kind of what's fun and awesome (and agonizing and heart-breaking) about hockey. I don't think I'd have it any other way.
3 comments:
I woke up to that lovely sight. I totally didn't think we'd get the win, but in the end the Caps got SHalaked and I'm perfectly fine with that.
What's with the Eastern Conference this year, eh? NJ, Caps and the Sabers all gone in the first round.
I love playoff hockey
I don't know, I think I have to disagree with you on this one. While there are certainly some icky aspects of the Caps fanbase, I hate the idea of them losing and the Habs winning. To me, seeing skating teams like the Caps and the Sabres eliminated while the Habs and Bruins, two teams that make the late-90s Devils look like the early-80s Oilers, advance is sickening. So much for having hockey that I actually enjoy watching.
Thank god the Canucks and Blackhawks are still alive, though regrettably they now must face each other.
ps - Before you dismiss me as someone who doesn't appreciate good defence as I know you do, that's not true. The Viking (Lydman) has been one of my favorite players for a few years now. It's just that the Habs and Bruins don't play "good" defence, they play "I want to poke my eyes out, how can this be called 'hockey'?" defence.
dave, I totally get what you're saying. If I had been cheering based on style of play, I'd feel the same way. This was a very Caps-specific thing. Now that the dust has settled I hate pretty much everyone left in the EC for one reason or another. :P I feel you on the difference between admirable defense and eye-gougingly painful defence.
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