We have won 11 in a row. A franchise record.
We are now first in the East. We are TEN POINTS ahead of New Jersey who is in second place.
We are first in our division, 25 points ahead of our nearest competition.
And we are now FIRST in the NHL with 82 points. Click here and see.
We are first in the NHL in goals scored. And first in a bunch of other team and individual stats.
For just today we have arrived.
We don’t have miles to go before we sleep.
We have arrived. Savor it. Enjoy it.
Please for just one day. I beg of you. No negative emails. No negative vibes.
Tomorrow all bets are off. We can worry, we can vent, and we can go back to our individual dark places. But for 24 hours I declare a no fly zone on negativity and unhappiness.
We deserve our success. We are what our record says we are. At least for one shining moment.
Ok back to work. Go Caps. I hope you are as proud as I am.
Tags: NHL, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washington Capitals
Thanks - Last night was great.
Like Chuck Berry sang, “Can’t stop the train, you hafta let it roll on.”
February, lol.
Funny it wont mean nothing come April…… just saying
What a streak! It has been great to watch.
Yeah Caps!
Ted - I have to believe the negative emailers must be a small handful of pessimists that will never be satisfied, that continually pound you with their negativity.
Please know that the vast majority of CapsNation is behind you and the team and it’s no better time to be a fan. The future is just so bright in so many facets. We have an amazing possibility to create a dynasty in this decade.
Thanks for being a great owner. You and George keep up the good work and ignore the haters, acknowledging them only gives them power. Let’s Go Caps!
Ted,
Been a diehard for a long time. Born in 77 so I fondly remember losing to the Isles at 3am (listened to that one on the radio in bed) and witnessing Hunter put it through the pads of Hextall in the playoffs years later.
I live in NYC and will be going to MSG on Thursday night. Taking the train down to see my first game this season at Verizon. Nothing like a little home and home series! Hoping to see them push the record to at least 12 and then 13.
The only thing missing now is Chipwiches which used to be my go to dessert between the 2nd and 3rd period. Can you please start selling those again!
Thanks you for all that you have done for this team and organization.
Lets Go Caps!
Jonathan
100% in agreement. I started my victory celebration prior to the Shark/Wings game. Check out my Facebook page; I think you will enjoy it.
Congratulations Ted. As a season ticket owner I’m thrilled we have such a classy owner. Now go kick some NY butt and I cant wait to be back at the Verizon center on Friday night. Especially because Greenie will be back!
Fondly,
Mert Griffin
I couldn’t be prouder of the Caps right now! I absolutely LOVE this team and enjoy watching the teamwork and chemistry they have together. Every player is contributing to keep the team successful. Many thanks to Ted, George, Bruce, staff and of course the guys on the ice for bringing such joy to Caps fans lives right now. Please keep it up! #1 feels so gr8! LET’S GO CAPS!!!
The “shining-moment” will come when, if, the Caps win the Cup. Anything short of that doesn’t matter….
Ted,
Check out http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/02/laughlin_on_the_1984_caps_win.html and tell me it wouldn’t be way cool for the Verizon Center to play “Break on Through” by The Doors before every game just as the skaters come out of the locker room. It would make a connection to Caps history and the traditions of the excellent 1984 team.
Your plea for a break from the few perpetual pessimists may fall on deaf ears, but this Caps fan of 32 years will indeed follow your sage advice. Thank you for everything — including your new book.
Amazing, amazing run. Just a few weeks ago I was carefully considering every win/loss that New Jersey and Buffalo put up to see where we could keep up and make up ground. Now we are a full 10 points ahead of both of the other division leaders in the East. Congratulations to the team on this outstanding achievement. Here’s hoping for continued health and success.
Go CAPS!!!
[...] from Caps owner Ted Leonsis here Featured • Hockey News Ted Leonsis, Washington [...]
I’m wearing my Caps jersey to work today. I’m declaring dress code immunity after eleven straight wins.
Take it from a Senators fan - all the regular season success in the world will feel hollow if you don’t win the cup.
No negativity - you guys have a great team and a great shot. But in the end the president’s trophy is a pretty poor consolation if you don’t finish the job.
Also, someone should be putting in a claim for Brendan Witt.
start bragging when you win a cup. regular season means nothing teddy. see you in the playoffs.
Thank you so much for buying the Caps.
Congratulations to possibly the best owner on the planet! Going to a Caps game, win or lose, is always a great fan experience but lately it has been off the chart. As a Wizards fan as well, I sincerely hope you get full ownership of the team soon.
GO CAPS - we want the cup!
“And we are now FIRST in the NHL with 82 points.” Kudos to the big club for that, but kudos to the organization as a whole for this:
http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings&subType=1&season_id=30&leagueId=4&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0
and this:
http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings&subType=1&season_id=13&leagueId=1&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0
All 3 levels of the organization are in first place in their respective leagues right now. Has that ever happened before? Stunning.
Well said, Mr. Leonsis. from a west coast fan, it is awesome to follow our team into the top spot of the NHL.
We moved from VA last year and it is difficult not to have the great television feed from CSN-DC for every game, but we still find a way (mostly via Caps radio internet) to catch every game. We were even fortunate enough to catch the game in LA on Jan 2nd.
Best wishes for continued success this season. See you in the playoffs!!
Congrats on your arrival Ted. Your teams record and all the goals. Those stats look great. NOW, let’s see what your team can do in the playoffs when it matters the most. Your track record is not good. Keep trying. That is the name of the game right? Keep on “rockin’ the red”! Rock until you can’t stop because it’s February and the Stanley Cup is miles away baby.
Best of luck, You “deserve” it.
it’s february. lol
For those people who say that accomplishments now mean nothing without the Cup, I say ……
Bullhockey.
This is a team still in development. They still have lessons to learn and issues to settle. Heck, every other top contender for the Cup this year has established who their top goalie is, who they will rely on entering the playoffs, absent injury. That hasn’t been decided for the Caps yet.
This is the first year that this contemporary version of the team has a legitimate chance at the Cup, but if they don’t win it, the development this year has still been worthwhile. The current streak means something. The standings and the home record and the offensive stability which begets offensive excellence and the increasing stinginess of the defense means something. The fact that the team can do this while being EASILY the most entertaining team in the sport means something (especially considering the money people need to pay for supporting the franchise). The fact that this team has learned how to win against skilled and very motivated opposition when they aren’t playing or can’t play their best means something. [Note that the past 3 games, where everyone agrees that the Caps have struggled some, were all played in a situation where the Caps were at a significant rest disadvantage relative to their opponent, but they found ways to win anyway.]
Regardless of what happens tomorrow in NY, let’s give the boys a deserved exceptional welcome when they take the ice on Friday. And let’s keep up the support and not grumble regardless of how they play then, because the Caps will face a very difficult situation against Atlanta.
Congrats to the team.. and please ignore the other teams fans (probably pens fans) who love to throw Lord Stanley into the conversation every time this team does something right. To them I say: thanks for stating the OBVIOUS.
The Caps are fun, exciting, and most of all, entertaining. They come to play [almost] every game and play hard until the end. Who cares about the past, I look toward the future.
Go Caps! Looks like talks have broken down with Kovalchuk in Atlanta. Any chance we might see him in a Caps uniform? Here’s to hoping that Philadelphia doesn’t end up with him.
Not only are the Caps firing on all cylinders right now, but I think the scariest thing to other fans is how much cap space the Caps have at the moment to add an impact player or two for depth for a cup run.
I really liked the addition of Knuble to the Caps before the season started. He’s been solid everywhere he’s played and has been a guy that killed the Pens while in Philly. He’s a real pain to deal with when he’s in front of the goalie on the PP. He also scores the tough goals, taking a beating in front of the net around playoff time.
Someone above mentioned getting Witt. Witt has a pretty big cap hit ($3m) for what he brings. He’s mean but all reports are that he’s slow and was getting torched in Long Island, hence his poor +-. Then again, Hal Gill was the definition of slow and it worked for us.
The Caps are going to be a very scary team going into the playoffs this year. I don’t think any team in the east really wants any part of them right now.
And when it’s done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew…
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED FOR THE SKY
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU WERE WILLING TO TRY
ONE SHINING MOMENT….
Congrats to the Organization top to bottom on this landmark/milestone!
The great thing for the players is any streak weight is greatly lifted: wins added to the streak now are gravy/”how far can we take it”?
It’s amazing how well things go when you play as coach preaches…
Teddy, Eleven matters because it made THE FANS very happy!!! I am glad you are in the moment, enjoy. Way to go BRUCEEEEEEE! WHAT A TEAM!!
“This is the first year that this contemporary version of the team has a legitimate chance at the Cup”
I disagree. Last season we were #2 in the east, went to the second round of the playoffs, and took the eventual champions to 7 games. If we’d played a little harder, or if games 3-5 had been reffed a little more fairly, we would have advanced and maybe our guys would have hoisted the cup.
We had a legitimate chance last year — we just didn’t get it done. Hopefully this year we do, but I’ll remain a fan either way.
PS to Ted: You deserve to brag a little. You did your part to get the guys needed to make this team success. Too bad none of the other owners in the area can say the same.
Yeah,cool. Thanks for sharing. gochristian shoes
very talented team, love decision to make Ovie captain. Still question why Clark was ever Captain in first place, just goes to show you how good Ovie really is
Awesomesauce!
@Respect The Red - Clark was Captain before Boudreau came on board; Ovechkin was offered the Captaincy when he was first on the team, and he turned it down, because of his (then) limited command of the English language. I think it was a wise move on his part. Now, he’s *ready* to be Captain, and to lead this team into a new era.
LET’S GO, CAPS!
I have only one thing to say:
Ditto on the chipwiches.
@ Dwight French
I couldn’t agree more. Yes, the ultimate goal is the cup. However, I’m a fan that has some patience. We (well.. not me..) are building a team that will compete for many years.. not just this year or bust. THANK YOU TED!!! Anyone who knows hockey knows that the “best team” doesn’t always win the cup. To win Lord Stanley’s prize, you may need a few tries. A caps team has been architected to allow us to do just that. We may not win it this year.. but as long as we continue to develop, I believe with all my heart our franchise will get one… and not too long from now.
Pitt traded away youth for Hossa to make a run.. and it didn’t work out. However, the experience I think is what helped them turn the corner last year (I loathe using them as an example…). So, even if we don’t win the cup this year, I think we are doing all the right things to progress towards that ultimate goal.
Thanks Ted for giving us a team to be proud of. Sticking with the dark years, makes what I see in the future seem that much more bright.
Ted- Great note. We need to hear more positive in every aspect whether it is a Caps fan or a just another (glad that they don’t live in Pittsburgh anymore) Penguin fan. You have given this area a team that we can be proud of. They have made the Verizon Center one of the areas hot spots and can’t wait to see the Caps getting those 12 wins in a row tonight. And then win 16 playoff games in the spring to win the cup!!
The ONLY streak worth savoring is a one game winning streak…..that one game being the last game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. And guess who is savoring THAT streak? Hahaha!
Did I forget to mention how important that regular season record is? Just ask the San Jose Sharks………
Keep it up Ted. We love what you guys have done.
I have no problems with the fanbase of the Caps being excited about the season to this point… but don’t you think you should accomplish something in the post-season before declaring that you have arrived?
Ted and Caps fans. Look back at the past years… does anyone remember the top team in the league unless they won the cup? Look at the 93 Penguins, the top team in the league, which won 17 in a row, and they didn’t win the cup. Few outside of Pittsburgh remember that the Pens steam rolled everyone in the league, but everyone remembers that Montreal and Patrick Roy won the cup. Until the caps have won the cup, they should not take anything for granted. Winning 11 in a row, or 17 in a row in the middle of the season means nothing unless you win the cup. Even Alex Ovechkin, whom I respect for his passion for the sport, iterated that he would much rather have the cup than any of his other trophies. Just remember, the top team in the league during the season doesn’t always win the cup. Good luck the rest of the way, but don’t take it for granted till you have the right trophy.
“We have arrived. Savor it. Enjoy it.”
Where have you arrived? You are playing well and winning, but wasn’t SJ the same way last year? They were the best team in the regular season last year and had a record wins to start the season, but they didn’t win anything. Just a weird statement.
If you said enjoy and savor the winning right now because everything is clicking or something that is cool, but “we have arrived?” You guys were pretty good last year. If Ott wins next can they same the same thing? They have won 10 in a row…
The southeast division is arguably the weakest division in hockey, and with the talent the Capitals have, they SHOULD easily win the division. Great regular season teams don’t always translate into the postseason for that reason. Until Ovie hoists the cup, he’ll be the Terrell Owens of the NHL. Hope the Caps didn’t peak too soon.
Yeah, it kinda remeinds me of the Pens in 92-93 when they won 17 in row, except this id 6 games short…
Anyone remember the Penguins record about this time last year? I mean, they won the cup last year, so…..
oh wait. They were right at .500 and not even in the playoff picture.
SO MUCH FOR “ARRIVING” IN FEBRUARY.