The Caps get the Oates system

The Caps won the Southeast division title tonight with 2 games left in the strike shortened season.  It's a dubious honor, I realize, but it was enough to get them to the only season that counts in hockey.

There is no doubt that the Caps get Oates's system.  They've lost one game in April.  Ovie definitely  gets Oates's system.  He went from being ridiculed by hockey commentator Mike Milbury, early this season, to being the current goal scoring leader again and, this time, from the RW side.

Ovechkin also, finally, embraces the role of captain and gets pissed when they're down or when the tired opponent, tonight that was Winnepeg, ties up the game because the Caps play with lackluster efforts.  That is an encouraging sign.

Other things I enjoyed about tonight's game:

• The Ovie after burners after Winnepeg tied it up.  As mentioned above, after appearing pissed, Ovie fed Backis a beautiful goal to regain the lead 37 seconds after the Winnepeg goal.
• Marty P's persistence in getting the 4th goal against Ondrej Pavelec.
• John Erskine's third star 7 blocks, 4 hits and +3 night. 
• Karl Alzner's PK work on the late Matty P penalty.

Bottom line though...I'm a Caps fan.  Heartbreak is coming.  It always does.  I guess the good news is that I have no expectations for the Caps during the season that matters.  I'm just enjoying watching the Alex Ovechkin revival and the Caps playing good hockey under the brilliant coaching of Adam Oates.  

The question that remains is whether or not Adam Oates's coaching works in the playoffs.  We'll soon find out.

Let's go Caps!