The good: We are in first place in the NHL at the Olympic break with 90 points. We have garnered points in 16 of the last 17 games. We have lost exactly once in regulation in 17 games.
We are first in the East up 13 points over NJ. We are first in our division over second place Tampa by 27 points.
We lead the NHL in goals scored with 247. San Jose is second with 204 goals scored.
We lead the NHL in power play efficiency.
We have the best home record at 23-3-3 and have played the least amount of games at home of the best teams. We have sold out every game. We spend at the cap max in payroll. Our ticket prices continue to be in lowest third of the NHL.
Our goals scored vs. goals allowed differential is best in NHL as well.
The bad: We are a tired team and a team with some injuries.
We know we have to get back to playing better systems oriented hockey.
We now have six players that go to Vancouver and play in the Olympics. We have no idea how they will respond and play during the last 20 games of our regular season. Will they be tired, injured? Time will tell.
We need better and more consistent team defense and goaltending to go from a very good team to a great team. We also need to rest up mentally and clear our heads as the regular season has only 20 more games left. Then we head to the playoffs. Is there anyone out there – any cynic - that believes we won’t qualify for the playoffs this season? 
The ugly: There is no ugly. We are happy. We need to improve but let us be honest. If we said at the beginning of the season we would be in first place in the NHL at Olympic break, we would have certainly met our goals. We would be happy right now. This is our best record as a franchise this late in the season and it is the latest we have been in first place in the NHL ever.
Try to be happy. You can do it.
Try to NOT pepper me with emails to blow the team up and fire everyone as well during the break. You can do it. Everyone - take a deep breath. Enjoy the Olympic break. Go Caps!
i agree with the most of the things mentioned in the articles.
nice article .
Ted, You are absolutely right! Any team in the league would love to be in the Caps place right now.
I’m 0-2-1 in the three games I’ve seen at Verizon Center this year. I’ve decided to watch the rest of the season from home, for the sake of the team.
The hockey world is in love with the Caps! Time to create an iPad app that lets people watch the caps live no matter where they are.
The complaining will stop when the Caps win a Cup. At least for a while.
I’ve been watching the caps for the last 20 years. This is the best team they have had!
Ted, I love what you have done with this team! What are the plans to improve the “solid D”? What are your plans for goalies? I see so much in this team, as well as talent that may be wasted.
GO CAPS!!!!!
Great analysis of the state of the team, Ted. Good luck to our Olympians! And may everyone rest up and be fired up after the Olympic break!
Ted, one thing you forgot to mention: Everyone who can, make the trip up to Hershey to see the Bears during the Olympic break! It’s a great experience, tickets are very reasonably priced, and it’s an easy drive. We went up there for Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals in June and are going again this Saturday. Good chance to see a lot of the Caps’ prospects and some guys we’ve seen a lot of in DC this year.
I am one ecstatic Caps fan. But more is always better…how about coming home with 2 Swedes?
I’m happy
The Caps are an AWESOME team, and I can’t wait for the Olympic break to be over with so we can get back to awesome Caps hockey!
There’s a good reason I scheduled my CCNA boot camp for the week of the 22nd-26th……..
I don’t understand — how much complaining can there be? Sure we want the Cup and this team may need & get some tweaking to the line-up. There are going to be ups and downs – BUT- This is hockey. Its the greatest spectator sport in the world –enjoy it. We get to watch it in a very good venue, and you can’t complain about the televised games (remember watching games on small tvs w/o cable or HD–I do). We watch a great team. We watch the greatest player in the world. This team is probably the best in francise history. I like to talk about possible trades and what -ifs, even which goalie should play etc., but now is the time to support this team and enjoy the game. Take heart Ted – great job.
With greatness comes greater expectations. Got a question for the owner, alot has been discussed about the olympics and who people are rooting for. Who does Ted root for when it’s a USA/ Russia game?
Ted,
I love your open take on things, let’s indeed have them rest up and I think Bruce can get them back to decent systems play without killing the geese that are laying golden goal eggs all year.
Luc
p.s.: Vokoun?