OK. It is time to put the past behind us; forget the regular season; and now get focused on the task ahead. All the points we garnered; all the wins we gained; and all the great plays and personal stats - they are done and forgotten. Don’t even think about them anymore since they don’t matter. We are all at 0-0 right now in the second season.
Welcome to the NHL playoffs. We play the New York Rangers and this will be a tough match-up.
As Japers’ Rink outlines, here are the numbers and the stats. Click here for details. This is a good analysis but to be honest, these stats don’t matter much either.
The New York Rangers are a completely different team now. They have a new coach who has won a Stanley Cup and a bunch of new players brought in at the trade deadline. They have a wild crowd at Madison Square Garden that seems to get under the skin of the on ice officials and intimidate them. They are a team with a great goaltender who is a sublime and one of a kind talent and a player that I respect very much.
We have home ice advantage which will be important.
We have one playoff series under our belts from last year that will be helpful. We should know what to expect now.
We will have Red Outs and we can be equally as intimidating as a crowd of fans. Let’s show them, right? Be loud and proud.
This will be a terrific series and one that I look forward to but of course worry about. I have lots of friends in NYC and the trash talk from them has already begun. One friend said this is a battle for the “very soul of America - NYC vs. DC - money vs. power – old vs. new – establishment vs. upstart.” I replied, “Blah – blah – blah. Just drop the puck already.”
Thanks for your support during the regular season. We met most of our goals. Now we head to the important second season. Can we count on you for your total support as well? Go Caps!
Totally psyched for the Playoffs! The Capitals have a great team of young guys and can go all the way and win the CUP if everyone brings their “A” Game. We CAN do it, we will do it
Great job with building D.C. into what’s fast becoming a great Hockey town. See everyone tomorrow! 
LET GO CAPS!!
Dan,
It’s on Comcast SportsNet. What’re you talking about?
I thought Game 1 was being broadcast on CSN according to yesterday’s Washington Post
Dan, game 1 is on CSN, like all the other first round games. Relax dude–I think the playoffs got you wound a little too tight.
Dan K.
According to every resource I can see, Game 1 will be broadcast locally on CSN and in HD for us techno-junkies.
Congratulations to you, GMGM, and the whole Caps family for a terrific regular season. And, as you say, now let’s drop the puck and take on the Rangers!
For next year, you might want to consider adding a concessions stand with real Kosher food. I am one season ticket holder who would greatly appreciate it. You might check out the outfit that does Kosher food for the Nationals, the Orioles, and the NJ Devils, among other teams:
http://www.koshersportsinc.com
So Rock the Red and Let’s Go Caps!
Game 1 has no national TV – but CSN is broadcasting all games that are not on NBC (i.e. games 2 and 6).
where is the dc 101 hawk thing cause i’m trying to get some tix
Dan Kulpinski –
all the games will either be on Versus or on Comcast. if you are in the DC area you will be able to watch all caps games on TV. not sure where you heard otherwise…
You can count on me Ted! Thanks for being such a great owner – what you and McPhee have done with the Caps, and for this city, should be celebrated.
Can’t wait for the playoffs to start! Let’s go Caps!!
Hi Ted,
I’m psyched for the playoffs and think the Caps have a good shot at doing really well. However, I’m bummed about something I learned today — Game 1 vs the Rangers will not be on TV here in DC, or anywhere in the U.S., for that matter.
Why no TV? Doesn’t the NHL want more exposure? We have a huge fan base that wants to see the game and now we’re out of luck. What gives?
I’ll be there for every game Ted… let’s go Caps.
Section 421, Row A.
Here we go Rangers, here we go! Love the blog and I love that you have made hockey exciting in DC. That said, bring on my Broadway Blueshirts. I will be there bleeding Ranger Blue!
Should be a great match up and for both cities I hope a hard hitting series.
Here’s the stat I know for sure: there are 16 teams in the playoffs and only one will hoist the cup. Every team is 0-0 and has a 6.25% chance (one in 16) of being the champ.
ted i think you should join elliot and mike wednesday and get your mohawk done for Rock the Hawk! I did it last year dont think I can make it this year due to a stiff boss