Judging by some comments of late on message boards, my blog and in some media circles, you would never know that:
- This Caps team regular season record after 76 games is the second best in team history with 99 points;
- We have had 6 straight months of above .500 performances and not a single losing month this season for the first time in team history. What was that again about inconsistency?
- We have a legitimate chance to amass the most points and most wins in team history as well.
So while we have lots of work left to do this season and in the playoffs, let us lay off some of the bad mouthing about this team’s play of late. We have actually been one of the better performing teams and most consistent teams in the NHL this year. I hope I didn’t just jinx us for the month of April and beyond but these are the facts.
Typical DC fans. The same guys who talk Superbowl in August and “wait till next year” in mid-Dec.
We’re a playoff team and its hard to stay consistent when your playing teams that are 40 points behind us between those who are in playoff contention.
We play to the opponent level…not good for catching Boston, but real good for playoff hockey.
GO CAPS!
Ted,
6-5-2 in February. Per the logic you’ve embraced before, that means we won 6 games and lost 7. Sounds to me like a losing month, although the points percentage was above .500 – any chance you owners are ever going to fix that mockery.
And not trying to bust your chops, but please don’t expect us to believe that this team doesn’t have consistency issues.
I think I said it in a comment way back, this is the deepest Caps team I’ve ever seen (I’ve been coming to games since 1985 when I moved here) and also the best Caps team I’ve seen.
(Here-Found it: http://www.tedstake.com/?p=2809 )
It’s only up from here… Let’s go Caps!
Ted, Your coach has done a great job in turning your team around but the bad mouthing about your was brought on themselves and the way your team’s acts on the ice when they score a goal.
The AO 50 goal celebration was a selfish on his part. the reason i bring this up because hockey is a team sport, it takes a team to win a cup. The way AO acted on the ice when he scored that goal brings in that ‘look at me’ behavior that consistantly done in NFL,NBA and MLB.
Did gretzky act like that when he scored his 92nd goal? NO. He acted liked a true human being and acted like he never scored before.
As for the celebrations by your team does after every goal, they look like they just scored game winning goal in the playoffs. I might be minority here but it comes to a point where it happens all the time, it becomes annoying and people begin hate your team for it.
BTW, can your team score a goal when they arent on power play? from watching capitals all year long your team can only can win a game on power play and btw your defense is slow.
I totally agree with everything stated…..lay off everyone…
BUT (I know here comes the but….)
I hate the line juggling especially the D pairings….
Oh well…we’ll see what happens…..I think we’ll be fine
GO CAPS!
I think a lot of the improvements in this team are due to you being the greatest, most involved owner this team has ever had.
Hopefully this little problem with the ice at home, especially more towards the end of this season (abnormal bouncing pucks and such), can be fixed over the summer so we can have an even more stellar year next year.
We can’t really make a more well put together team then what it is now. Just more emphasis on practicing defense and we are golden.
GO CAPS!!!
All good points, but there’s no denying the inconsistency and lack of intensity especially when playing “lesser” teams, even when we win. That does appear to be working itself out, and we are all really proud of this terrific team.
Agree with you Ted!
All CAPS fans wish our play of late, against non-playoff teams, had been more consistent. But… there are ebbs and flows to the season and this team is too good to stay at a low ebb for long. You rightly pointed out that other top-pevel teams had been victims of the same malaise. Sergei Fedorov also proved again what a positive influence he is by publicly noting all is well and everyone should remain calm.
That said, the next six games are important. Home playoff games are key. Keeping the faith in VA Beach.
UNLEASH THE FURY!
You tell em Ted. They have done a great job this year. They have even generate more fans. I think that this team has a serious shot at the cup this year.
Ted — Congratulations on almost selling out the season tickets for next season. Though us passionate fans may “bad mouth” our team when we play poorly it is because we are SOOOOOO passionate about the Capitals.
Can’t wait to ROCK THE RED for the playoffs and thank you for putting such a great product on the ice.
27-9-2 at home (56 of 76 possible points – 74%).
19-14-5 on the road (43 of 76 possible points – 57%).
6-2-2 in the last 10 (14 of 20 possible points – 70%).
25 sellouts. 456,925 fans can’t be wrong.
What’s not to like?
Go Caps!
I think it is just a testament to the caliber of play that our (the fans) expectations are so high. I find myself expecting the team to win every game and I am shocked, SHOCKED, when they lose one..;) I think if we could just stop losing any more games, you would see no more complaints…;)
…..The majority of us are beside ourselves with the season, no matter what happens…..Finish strong boys, and on to the playoffs….Don’t sweat it Ted,We got this..!
All of the above is true. The regular season will probably be one of the best, if not the best, ever. I am a huge fan of the Caps! However, every point counts and there have definitely been some bad losses recently against inferior teams. Coach B even questioned the team’s effort and the ridiculous celebrations during a loss. I hope they don’t come back to haunt the Caps by hurting the playoff positioning and home ice.
I agree!
Ted,
As much as we communicate about the Caps, you have to know that everyone is pulling for them! The team is exceptional this year and we have every bit of confidence that we will continue to excel!