I honestly see tonight as just another game. It is early in the season. Both teams are still finding their legs and perfecting their systems. We are only three games into the season. It is a game to try and garner some points. That is all.
We will have a true rivalry for this generation of our team if/when we meet the Penguins in the playoffs. Rivalries are forged in the playoffs. To date, the Penguins have been the better team as the record is clear. Both teams have been rebuilt via sell-off of older star players and a rebuild through the draft and are now excelling because of a core of great young players. My fondest dream is to have a real rivalry again with the Penguins because that will mean we are in the playoffs and perhaps have gone deep into the playoffs to meet them.
Right now, it is just a game for two points so kick back tonight and enjoy the game. Go Caps!
Ted,
This was far from ‘just another game’. I am always so excited when the Caps beat the Pens anytime, anyplace. If the Caps beat the Pens in our building, it will be even sweeter. When was our last victory over the Pens in our building? This is the most fun team to watch in the NHL.
I predict our average attendance, over all the regular season home games, will be ~ 17.7k It was a real good crowd for Vancouver. I’m proud to be a full-time plan holder. I’m giving my 4 comp tickets (2 for each seat) to a family of 4 who has never seen an NHL game.
Just a game for two points, but I think most everyone in hockey will be watching what happens tonight. I think the Caps can send a message to the league that they are a team to be reckoned with if they play as impressively as they did vs. Vancouver on Monday…
Well put-It’s game 4. 78 more to go.
Ted,
You can keep feeding blog posts like this to your fan base, but until their inferiority complex to the Penguins stop; games like tonight will never be “just another chance to get 2 points”.
Fat chance of that happening, Ted. This is like Skins/Cowboys here. I hate the Pens…bitter that Brash isn’t going to play.
i agree that rivalry are forged in the playoffs, hopefully in a few years there will be the rivalry there was through the 90′s except with the caps coming out on top more times then not.
Ted- Your brought to mind an idea I’ve had for some time. How about turning part of the K-Plex’s unused upper level (behind the elevator) into a viewing area for away games? All it would take is a big projection TV, maybe some carpet, and some seating. With the concession downstairs, I think it would be a super place for fans to get together in a family friendly environment to watch away games–and maybe repeat showings of classic games at other times. Couldn’t cost too much to do and would make good use of all that (wasted) space.
Oh, its not just one game Ted. Of course the playoffs are the true crucible of rivals. But these games are tremendously meaningful to many Caps fans. We need these wins as small vindications after. so much suffering at the hands and sticks of the Pens.
Caps fans are to Pittsburgh fans as Red Sox were to the Yankees, pre-2004 ALCS.