Ted's Take

Here is my take: There are 82 games in a season. A team can go undefeated and garner 164 points. That would be a great season - no doubt - best ever!

 A team can lose all of its games and get no points. That would be equally historic. A team can tie all of its games and lose all of them in OT or shootout and have 82 points. That team would have no wins and NOT be in last place in the NHL standings. A team can lose 70 games in OT or shootout while winning twelve games outright and have 94 points and qualify for the playoffs, etc. etc. Would that be a mediocre season or a bad season? Or an under .500 season? You get my point. Eighty-two points is halfway to 164 points, a .500 record. We have played 79 games and we have 88 points. We have a better than .500 record. The league just went to three point games with shootouts post lockout. The logic had to change on what qualifies for a .500 record. Maybe I am wrong but right now, I don’t care anymore. I just want us to make the playoffs regardless of what our record is according to the NY Times.

We now have scored more goals than we have let in. This is another strong performance improvement metric for the team.

Two weeks ago, we left on a six game road trip. The season and our playoff chances hung in the balance based on our record and how many points we needed.

 And here we are - two weeks later - winners of five of the six road games. We sit two points behind Carolina and the SE division lead; two points behind Boston; three points behind Philly and the NY Rangers; and four points behind Ottawa. There are three games left to play (all at home for us) with one against Carolina on Tuesday which will be of most significance. We are right in the race for a playoff spot. I am grateful to our coach and to the players for believing in our mission at hand. All we can do is keep winning and putting pressure on the teams ahead of us to do likewise. Keep winning and let the chips fall where they may. Our team has a lot of heart. It believes in itself and should we make the playoffs, we will be battle-tested as we have essentially been playing playoff games for the last 30 days. This team is road weary. They deserve a break; to catch their breath; recharge; and then get back at it for Tuesday’s game at Verizon Center against Carolina. I hope to see and hear you there. Go Caps!

Thanks for setting the table here with facts. The numbers seem daunting. I am hopeful that all we do as a team is focus on game by game - getting two points in each game - and then let the chips fall where they may.