“It is About as Even as It Gets”

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I am very happy we drop the puck today at 1:00 pm.

Whenever you have this many members of the media/blogosphere following a series, there are too many words generated; too many pixels created; and too many articles focused on too many angles. I have tried to stay out of the mix and war of words.

The truth is this, we drop the puck at 1:00 pm and then the players do all of the talking. I believe this will be a very competitive series. I know we respect everything about the opposition; their staff; ownership; fan base; and team. Yesterday I sat through my first and only quick meeting about hockey talk this playoff season and was given a scout’s run down on their team and it is a great team, maybe the best we will play in the East. This series will be enough of a challenge – today - so we need to rip off the rearview mirror and be like a race car driver and only focus on the road ahead.

The playoffs are about determination; focus; will power; taking advantage of a break here and there; staying out of the penalty box; and goaltending.

What happened in 1996 when some of our players were 8 years old is kind of off target right now. As a long term fan of our team, I “get it.” I empathize but this isn’t about the past now. This is about our present and how we take a next step into our future.

I was calm - personally - all through the New York Rangers series even when we were down 2 to 0.

I feel calm and steady today. I believe our staff feels good as do our players.

We deserve to be in the second round of the playoffs. We now play the Penguins who are built around a young core of great players just like us. As I noted to a media member yesterday, ”I expect this scenario will play out many times over the next decade. It is like oxygen, get used to it.”

Drop the puck. Have faith. See you at Verizon Center. Rock the Red!

3 thoughts on ““It is About as Even as It Gets””

  1. Ted: You fire McPhee and I’ll throw a fit. At the trading deadline he had a team that was near the top of the conference and playing fine. Too much would have to be given up to improve the club and who knows if it would have really improved or destroyed their chemistry. This team is a really good mix. They have lots of talent and the younger ones are learning everyday. You and George have done a great job.

  2. “What happened in 1996 when some of our players were 8 years old is kind of off target right now. As a long term fan of our team, I “get it.” I empathize but this isn’t about the past now. This is about our present and how we take a next step into our future.”

    Amen. The Caps and Pens are completely different teams than the last time they met in the playoffs. People like to believe that history plays a role in the outcome of a game, but it’s simply the effort during the game. Today proved that not only can the Caps beat the Pens during the regular season, but also in the playoffs. The Rangers thought they had the series won at 3-1 and now they’re on the golf course. The last game doesn’t matter – just the next game. Let’s Go CAPS!