SE Division Champions...what just happened here

From the high of training camp and the anticipation of the season because of the new additions to the team (Poti, Kozlov, Nylander and rookie Center Nicklas Backstrom ) to the low of Thanksgiving morning when the Caps organiziation finally fired Coach Glen Hanlon to the resurgence of the history making Caps (last in the NHL at Thanksgiving to first in their division), it's been a roller coaster of a season. The Caps are playoff bound for the first time since the 2002-2003 season. The Florida Panthers did the Caps a huge favor last night in beating the Carolina Hurricanes. It was up to the Caps to beat Florida tonight and take the playoffs and the SE Division title away from Carolina. The Caps did what they needed, too, beating Florida 3-1.

This wasn't a game for the rabid fan to enjoy, it was a game to endure. Most of the people around us felt like we did, clock watching, and just wanting the damn game to be over. The Carolina win was more fun. But, the Verizon Center rocked even louder than the Carolina game (the echo was amazing) and the end of the 3rd period was awesome with everyone standing up and clapping.

Tomas Fleischmann put the Caps up 1-0 in the 1st period, netting his 10th of the season. For someone who gets so much grief from Caps fans I was happy for him to get that goal. He's young. Watching Brooks Laich blossom this year makes me realize patience is needed before giving up on these young players.

The trade deadline players, once again, stole the show. Sergei Fedorov showed everyone just how much he wants to go back to the playoffs with his game winning goal at 15:03 in the 2nd. Matt Cooke made his presence felt everywhere and Cristobal Huet continued his sparkling net minding. Alexander Semin, 1 goal, 1 assist (to/from Fedorov) is clearly learning much from Fedorov (boy, I really want him to stay!!!!). Nicklas Backstrom got an assist on Semin's goal meaning he now holds the rookie assist record for the Capitals (1 better than Ovie!) Go Nicklas!

This night wasn't about Alex Ovechkin, who was held scoreless, but nevertheless, the MVP chants rang down at the phone booth. To those who said his team had to make the playoffs to be considered, well, how do you like this team & Ovie now?

Thank you Coach Bruce Boudreau. Everyone loves what you've done with this team. I know why your team in Hershey did so well and we're glad you're here now.

And, finally, my tribute to Olie Kolzig. In the season review the Caps played, they highlighted Olie's 300th win. He's a special and elite goalie, so congrats again Olie. The cheers of "O-lie" rang out loud. Thank you Olie.

Wow, the Caps now have home field advantage in the playoffs. How in the world did that happen? There are some injury issues (Brooks Laich, Jeff Schultz...ugh), but for one night, who cares. The Caps are in the playoffs and they just won the SE division.

Plus, there is more hockey for Caps fans coming soon...it's been way too long :)

Let's go Caps!

1 game down with 2 points, 5 more to go

After an 3-goal offensive burst (Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Matt Bradley) in the 1st period against the Nashville Predators, the Caps slacked off and Nashville almost came back. The Predators took back the momentum in the 2nd period. They only had 1 goal that period, but they controlled the play.

Jason Arnott netted the 2nd Predator's goal 12:37 in the 3rd period and I had to stop watching. So, I didn't see Alex Ovechkin's empty netter (#58) with 4 seconds left in the game. I read on the message boards that even that goal was a doozy so I'm sorry I missed it. These games are so important that sometimes I just can't stand watching because the Caps so desperately need every 2 points they can get. Cristobal Huet played another great game in net and was awarded the 3rd star in the game.

The Caps bring their 4 game winning streak to the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. The Caps have to keep winnning because it seems like every team they're vying against for 8th place in the East or Carolina for 1st in the SE keeps winning. Caps haven't played Chicago in 4-years. Their team now features rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews who are both in the running for the Calder Trophy as is Nicklas Backstrom. I'm looking forward to watching them play, but the Caps must win!

Let's go Caps!

Caps get 2 points in a shootout

which is amazing in itself. I can't even watch when the Caps play the shootout because they lose more often than they win. But, the Caps beat the Boston Bruins in a shootout today, 2-1.
Cristobal Huet made 39 saves in regulation, some of them spectacular, and was awared the 1st star of the game. The Caps didn't play their defensive game today and they looked a bit lifeless to me. It wasn't the same group that put on a show against Atlanta on Friday, but bad refereeing aside (sorry dudes, Ovie did not "dive" when he got tripped), the Caps came away with those desperately needed two points.

Sergei Federov scored his first goal as a Cap on a Nicklas Backstrom pass and Viktor Kozlov and Alexander Semin scored during the shootout to seal the deal. Boy, would I like to see Sergei Federov remain a Cap for the next year or two.

No one in the SE did the Caps any favors though. Florida beat Atlanta and Carolina beat Ottawa. The Caps have to be damn near perfect to get a shot at the post season. But, hearing the roaring crowd at the phone booth shouting "Refs, you suck" and, indeed they did, brings a smile to my face as I think about the energy at the games these days. It's a far cry from the past several years and it's nice to think that the Caps might get more attention from the media and the DC area as they progress.

The Caps embark on a 6 game road trip starting in Nashville on Tuesday. Every game is a must win.

Let's go Caps!