Capitals Playoff Watch

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:39 am

The Capitals are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference with 76 points. Standing in their way for the 8th and final wild card is Philadelphia (79 points) and Buffalo (77 points). So the Caps would need a little help to sneak in.

But the Capitals are also five points behind Carolina in the Southeast Division. Washington has two games remaining against the Hurricanes, so if the Caps were to win both those games in regulation, they would make up four points. And since the Capitals have ten games left (as opposed to Carolina's nine), the Capitals have the opportunity to gain an additional two points. So despite our spot in the standings, we do control our own destiny.

It's the home stretch - Go Caps Go!

edit - proofreading

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:24 pm

Saturday, March 15

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

# Team            Pts  GR

 1 Devils (A)      88  11
 2 Senators (N)    87  10
 3 Hurricanes (S)  81   9
 4 Penguins        87  11
 5 Canadiens       87  10
 6 Rangers         83  11
 7 Bruins          80  11
 8 Flyers          79  11
--------------------------
 9 Sabres          77  10
10 CAPITALS        76  10
11 Panthers        76   9

Relevant Games:

Flyers @ Bruins - currently underway, tied at 1 in the 2nd
Sabres @ Maple Leafs - 7:00

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:07 pm

The game tomorrow vs Boston is critical, but I think it is just to much ground to make up after last weekends two heart breakers.

If we make the playoffs or not, I am still very pleased the Caps are playing meaningful hockey this late in the season and with a better start next year, I think we have a team that is ready to compete for the Eastern Conference.

I hope we can resign Huet and Cooke for next year.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:12 pm

I agree it's an uphill battle, and I also agree that regardless of how this all turns out, it's been a fun season.

But we do still control our own destiny. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of the Redskins position this season.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:38 pm

Sunday, March 16

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Bruins 3 Flyers 2 OT
Sabres 6 Maple Leafs 2

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

# Team            Pts  GR

 1 Devils (A)      90  10
 2 Canadiens (N)   89   9
 3 Hurricanes (S)  81   9
 4 Penguins        87  11
 5 Senators        87  10
 6 Rangers         83  10
 7 Bruins          82  10
 8 Flyers          80  10
--------------------------
 9 Sabres          79   9
10 CAPITALS        76  10
11 Panthers        76   9

Today's Relevant Games:

Flyers at Penguins - currently underway on NBC, 2-0 Penguins in the 1st
Capitals at Bruins - 3:00
Senators at Hurricanes - 3:00
Thrashers at Panthers - 5:00

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:46 am

It only get's tougher from here. After a nerve racking shoot-out victory over Boston, we are on the road for the next 5 games.

Huet played great, but he also had some good D in front of the net to help clear up his re-bounds.

I got no regrets on this season. They have been fun to watch, but I don't think we are a cup contender...yet. Maybe if we had some of our injured guys back at 100% (Clark, Nylander, Steckel) but as is, I'm proud of them for doing as well as they have done so far, and anything else (post-seasonwise) is just gravy!

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:09 pm

That was a tough win over Boston - the Capitals haven't had the best luck on shootouts, so it was nice to see one go the other way. I hate the 3-point games though. No help from Ottawa, which was disappointing.

Monday, March 17 / Tuesday, March 18

Sunday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 2 Bruins 1 (SO)
Hurricanes 5, Senators 1
Penguins 7 Flyers 1
Panthers 3 Thrashers 1

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Devils (A)      90  10
 2 Canadians (N)   89   9
 3 Hurricanes (S)  83   8
 4 Penguins        89  10
 5 Senators        87   9
 6 Rangers         83  10
 7 Bruins          83   9
 8 Flyers          80   9
--------------------------
 9 Sabres          79   9
10 CAPITALS        78   9
11 Panthers        78   8

Monday's Relevant Games:

none

Tuesday's Relevant Games:

Thrashers @ Flyers; 7:00 - Versus
Capitals @ Predators; 8:00 - CSN

If things break right on Tuesday, we'll be tied for the 8th seed with Philadelphia.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:24 pm

Hopefully the Trash show up against Philly and don't mail it in like they did against us last week.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:50 am

It was a nerve-wracking win, but a win nonetheless. No help from Atlanta, but they'll get a chance to make up for it against Carolina.

Wednesday, March 19

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 4 Predators 2
Flyers 3 Thrashers 2

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Devils (A)      90  10
 2 Canadians (N)   90   8
 3 Hurricanes (S)  83   8
 4 Penguins        89   9
 5 Senators        87   9
 6 Rangers         85   9
 7 Bruins          83   9
 8 Flyers          82   8
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        80   8
10 Sabres          79   9
11 Panthers        78   8

Today's Relevant Games:

Capitals at Blackhawks; 8:30, CSN
Thrashers at Hurricanes; 7:00
Lightning at Sabres; 7:00

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:14 am

Alexander Ovechkin scored once and assisted on two others in Washington's 4-2 doubling of Nashville on Tuesday night.

Alexander the Great has certainly lived up to his nickname this season and throughout his short and brilliant career, as he has already become the first player in franchise history to record 100 points twice in a Caps' uniform. His empty-net marker was his league-leading 58th goal of the season and he now sits atop the NHL scoring race with a fantastic 102 points this season. In fact, Ovechkin has now amassed a ridiculous 300 points in just 237 career games, over the course of the past three seasons.

www.rotoworld.com

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:50 am

It seemed like the Caps were outplayed for much of the 2nd and 3rd period, glad we got out of there with two points!

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:00 am

I agree, we were lucky. Watching the end of that third period was brutal - it felt like one of those Redskin games where we get up 10 or 17 early only to watch the lead evaporate.

How sweet was Ovechkin's bank shot to seal the deal?

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:08 am

Steve Spurrier III wrote:I agree, we were lucky. Watching the end of that third period was brutal - it felt like one of those Redskin games where we get up 10 or 17 early only to watch the lead evaporate.

How sweet was Ovechkin's bank shot to seal the deal?

The Caps are due for some luck to come their way. They've been on the wrong end of so many shootouts this season that I've lost track of the number.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:19 am

I relaxed after the first period. Started cussing late in the second when it seemed like the Caps were trying to let Nashville back into it, and was on the edge of my seat for the last 6 1/2 minutes of the game.

I don't usually cheer for the empty-netters, but I jumped up from the couch on that one.

I know we've had some great players in the past, and I'm not taking anything away from those guys, but it's about time we finally had a genuine home-grown hero such as Ovechkin, who is arguably the greatest player in the league right now.

Huet put together another dazzling net-minding display. Every rebound he didn't gobble up himself, his defenders were right there to sweep away from him.

The biggest downside to yesterday's game was penalties. Stupid penalties. The officiating was crap admittedly, but we need to be more careful with the stick in these close games and try to avoid these high stick, and hooking minors. We also need cooler heads to avoid roughing minors...even when the other team starts it.

All in all, it was a great game for us, and a great win for the Caps!

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:23 am

We are three points behind Carolina and two behind the Flyers. If we win out (which would include two victories and a four point swing over Carolina) we are he four seed and in the playoffs where anything can happen. I just hope to avoid the Pens in the first round. They have been responsible for WAY too many early exits from the post-season in recent trips.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:29 am

I believe the Southeast Division crown would earn us a three seed, no?

I kind of want the Penguins. I know they've been kicking our ass in the playoffs for years, but there's only one way to put an end to that.

Tonight's big. We're playing a team we should beat (Chicago), but the second night of a back-to-back is anything but a lock. And with Buffalo and Carolina in action, we could be looking at a big swing in either direction.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:23 pm

Three seed. Correct on your part; brain fart on mine. In any case, I'd like the chance to excorcise the Penguin demon, but I'd like a round or two to get the young guys into the play-off hockey mind-set first. My dream scenario would be to face the Pens in the eastern conference finals, although that is a far off prospect at this point. For now, I just want to see Ovie in the play-offs. :rock:

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:58 pm

Well, that was pretty frickin' brutal. You could kind of see it coming - second game of a back-to-back on the road, against a fresh, young, hungry team. Still, I never expected the Caps to get out-hustled from whistle to whistle. In addition, the Lightning blow a third period, three goal lead and the Thrashers continue to let us down. In a single night, the Capitals lost their momentum, control of their own destiny and their margin for error.

Thursday, March 20

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Blackhawks 5 Capitals 0
Hurricanes 5 Thrashers 3
Sabres 7 Lightning 4

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Devils (A)      91   9
 2 Canadians (N)   90   8
 3 Hurricanes (S)  85   7
 4 Penguins        89   9
 5 Senators        87   9
 6 Rangers         87   8
 7 Bruins          83   9
 8 Flyers          82   8
--------------------------
 9 Sabres          81   8
10 CAPITALS        80   8
11 Panthers        78   8

Today's Relevant Games:

Hurricanes at Panthers; 7:30

A Panthers win gives the Capitals back control of their own destiny.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:46 am

I had a bad feeling about this one, back to back games on the road late in the season are brutal.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:39 pm

The Caps just can't catch a break. Not only do the Hurricanes win AGAIN, but they do it in overtime, meaning that the Panthers also pick up a point.

Friday, March 21

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Hurricanes 2 Panthers 1 (SO)

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Canadians (N)   92   7
 2 Devils (A)      91   9
 3 Hurricanes (S)  87   6
 4 Penguins        91   8
 5 Senators        89   8
 6 Rangers         87   8
 7 Bruins          83   8
 8 Flyers          82   8
--------------------------
 9 Sabres          81   8
10 CAPITALS        80   7
11 Panthers        79   7

Today's Relevant Games:

Capitals at Thrashers; 7:30
Rangers at Flyers; 7:00
Maple Leafs at Sabres; 7:30

Tonight's a great opportunity to do some damage in the wild card race. And with the way the Hurricanes are rolling, that might be our best bet.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:04 am

What a game. I forget what the exact numbers were that they showed on the broadcast, but the Capitals hadn't won a game after trailing through two periods since January 2007. Down 3-1 in the third, with the season hanging in the balance, the Capitals break loose for four goals. It wasn't really a case of the Caps playing poorly and suddenly turning it on, because we were dominating the Thrashers in shots on goal on all night. Still, it was great to see the breaks go our way. Alex Ovechkin scores two goals to reach the 60-goal plateau, the first player to do so since the 1995-1996 season, and ties Dennis Maruk (81-82) for the franchise record. What a night.

Saturday, March 22

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 5 Thrashers 3
Flyers 4 Rangers 3 (SO)
Maple Leafs 4 Sabres 1

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Canadians (N)   92   7
 2 Penguins (A)    91   8
 3 Hurricanes (S)  87   6
 4 Devils          91   8
 5 Senators        89   8
 6 Rangers         88   7
 7 Flyers          84   7
 8 Bruins          83   8
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        82   6
10 Sabres          81   7
11 Panthers        79   7

Today's Relevant Games:

Bruins at Canadians; 7:00
Lightning at Panthers; 7:00

Caps are off until Tuesday for our big showdown with Carolina. In the meantime, we turn our focus towards Boston, as the Flyers have suddenly remembered how to play hockey.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:45 am

Shame on me for turning off the game when it got to 3-1...

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:05 pm

Shame indeed. Although that was what, nine consecutive periods that the Capitals had been outplayed? I'd say frustration was justified.

Hopefully we'll be ready for three good periods come Tuesday.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:44 pm

Bruins pick up a point, Panthers pick up two.

Sunday, March 23

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Canadians 3 Bruins 2 (SO)
Panthers 4 Lightning 2

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Canadians (N)   94   6
 2 Penguins (A)    93   7
 3 Hurricanes (S)  87   6
 4 Devils          91   7
 5 Senators        89   7
 6 Rangers         88   7
 7 Flyers          84   7
 8 Bruins          84   7
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        82   6
10 Sabres          81   7
11 Panthers        81   6

Today's Relevant Games:

Islanders at Flyers; 7:00

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:31 am

Sir_Monk wrote:Shame on me for turning off the game when it got to 3-1...

There's no shame, man. I did the same thing. I got lucky and turned back to the game a little less than halfway through the third, when it was still 3-1 (there was nothing else on TV).

They were definately pouring it on by then so I stayed with it, and sure enough they won it.

We put up more shots in the third period than ATL did in the entire game. After Ovie scored his 60th, they had ATL on thier heels.

We needed that game desperately, and they went out and got it. Now comes the big test. We need this game tomorrow vs. Carolina.