Five Reasons Why the Caps Could Still Win This Series

By Spenser Smallwood On May 6, 2016 300 Comments

Photo: Justin K. Aller

Wednesday night, the Capitals lost Game Four to the Penguins in sudden death overtime. According to the NHL’s PR, the Penguins improved to 8-3 in 11 all-time OT playoff games against the Capitals. The victory gave the Penguins a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Yesterday, we felt depressed. But there is reason to have hope. In fact, I have five reasons why the Caps could come back in this series.

Two Of The Last Three Stanley Cup Champs Have Done It

A 3-1 series lead does not have a foregone conclusion. Two of the last three Stanley Cup winners have come back from a 3-1 series deficit. As for these teams specifically, since 2011, the Penguins have been up 3-1 in a series four times. They have only won two. Since Ovechkin played his first NHL game, the Caps have been behind 3-1 in a series twice. They played seven games both times and won Game Seven once. This team can do it.

The Caps Shooting Percentage is Unsustainably Low

The Caps have been the worst shooting team in the postseason since 2009-10 regardless of sample size. Peter had a wonderful post about the lack of playoff scoring under Barry Trotz yesterday. The ineptitude goes back further. They have a shooting percentage of only 6.96% in 61 playoff games since 09-10.

That 6.96% is lower than the four game sample of Winnipeg last year in a sweep and the seven game sample of the Leafs. It is well below the 13 game sample of the Sabres, and even further below the 68 game sample of the Pittsburgh Penguins at 9.2%. The next closest team to the Caps with a decent sample size is the New York Rangers at 7.63% in 86 games. The best team in the league has been Anaheim at 10.03%.

That doesn’t sound like a reason to hope. Well it is. The laws of the universe state that that shooting % is not sustainable. A sub-7% shooting percentage for the Washington Capitals is a joke, it will stabilize. Why can’t the tipping point be Saturday? It can. Remember, the Caps had a 9.88 sh% in the regular season. This team can do it.

The Caps Have Been the Better Team

Why will it tip on Saturday? Because the Caps have been the better team this series. They have out shot, out attempted, out hit, and out chanced. The Penguins have out bounced them. They have gotten goals off people’s backs and hips. They have gotten goals off crazy deflections. The Caps have carried the play.

The Caps have also abandoned the way they played the game this year during this series. They were a team that wanted possession of the puck entering the zone. Once in the zone, they held the puck until they got a scoring chance. They moved the puck around to find the best shooting angles. They asked forwards to cycle with the defensemen to achieve this.

They have been so hell-bent on wearing the Pens down that they have forsaken what got them here. They have stopped cycling with the defensemen, they dump at the first sight of a defender. The good news is that the Penguins are worn down. The better news is that a move back to that style will turn the tide. This team can do it.

The Caps Have Come From Behind All Season

This is how the Caps play. The Caps have been the team that comes from behind in the third period. The Caps were the only team in the league at .500 with a record of 22-16-6 when the opponent scored first. They won or forced overtime 50% of the time when trailing going into the 3rd Period.

They have been the team that refuses to give up when down. When the Caps got down by a goal this season, everyone knew they would tie it up, even their opponents. When their backs were against the wall, they played their best. Well, now they are backed into a corner. Now the target is on someone else’s back, and they are the hunter. This team can do it.

Being Down in a Series was Inevitable

Every great story has adversity. Did we really think that they would waltz through the playoffs without adversity? What separates Stanley Cup winners from everybody else is not never being down in a series or never facing elimination games, it is how they play in those elimination games. This iteration of the Caps has not faced an elimination game yet.

This is the moment where the hero realizes who he is. This is the part of the story where the good guy steps up. This is the tipping point. This is the beginning of the new history. And this is the team that will do it.

Share On

CapsNation

Perfectly set up for the great escape…. Go Caps! #alwaysbelieve
Fi MacKinnon

Please be right! Just PLEASE…. There is always hope. I’ll be rocking the red and screaming my guts out to the very last (may it be June!!)
CapsF92

Thank you for this, I needed it today. I am feeling good about Game 5. Win this one and go back to Pitt with a fire. Then we’re on to Game 7 and oh god but still.
Jimmie

Okay. Fine. FINE!

Here, line, is my heart. I am laying it on you. As the 80s rock songs command.
wilhelk

In a very odd way – I’d rather be down to the Pens 3-1 then be up 3-1. If we win this series it will reverse the last 20 years of agony and turn it into glory.

As CS Lewis wrote, “This moment contains all moments.”

Hope the caps play in this moment with desperation, because I can assure you the caliber of this caps team in desperation mode could be one of the best teams we’ve seen historically…. As the famous Jason Mraz once said “I won’t give up… on us… even if the skies get rough… i’m giving you all my love… I’m still looking up.”
ecjw

I FEEL TINGLY
Kylie Haymaker

This is off-topic, but I wonder if there’s a correlation between me getting my eyebrows done and a Caps player getting/being sick. LOLOLOL. Cause the past three times I got them done, which today counts as one, a Caps player has been sick.
Drew Koslow

I still believe, the same way I believed in the 2004 Red Sox, cursed for 86 years, down 3 games to 1 to the hated New York Yankees. They came back, in dramatic fashion, and the rest is history. This team will breakthrough some time, why not now? This is the team, to stare down this adversity and rise to occasion. Here we go, boys!
Walker

You got me. I’m inspired and have some hope again. Let’s do this thing.
Jayman77

This gives me all the FEELS!
Erin

I’M ALL IN !!!
gocaps

This article makes me happy. It makes me very happy. I think we can still do it! I was musing at work today about how we could still win. I thought we should bring the TKO line back and have the second line be the line of Swedes. I came home from work and the first tweet I saw was from Katie Brown saying the lines at practice were exactly that. I still have hope in this team! We aren’t going down without a fight, and Saturday will be amazing. We have home ice, we can get the line match-ups we want, we have our backs against the wall, and we have a team who desperately wants it. LET’S GO CAPS!
gocaps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZKExBzDbzM
I’ll just leave this here. This has been my Caps anthem for a while
Sam W.

Unbreakable optimism is not my thing but I’m not worried. I do think there will be a game seven.
Robin Hart Carroll

Anxiety level = through the darn roof!
#RockTheRed
Torn Meniscus

Don’t think it’s going to happen. Caps might win game 5, but even that’s a stretch. I think we have a max of 120 minutes of play left in this season.
OoooohBurracuda

I was ready to dismiss these five reasons as fool’s hope, but it actually did allay some of my pessimism, at least for the time being. Most of us have been saying we believe this team is different, that they are finally built to go the distance. I still believe that, and I still believe in this team. Like they’ve been saying all season, just take it one game at a time. Stick to the script Caps, I believe!!
Sean George

Although you may be right, this is a post of positive vibes. You get no extra credit for saying “I told you so” if the Caps lose tonight.
Sean George

Sox were down 3-0 and won 4 straight!
hebegbe

Love the optimum and valid reasons why they can win. Puck luck for the Pens has been the biggest reason they are winning this series. They can’t be that lucky every game.

Being down 3-1 and winning the series vs the Pens might just be part of putting to rest past playoff failures.

All Caps fans must channel positive mental energy to toward the team.
pengwinpiper

I have hope, but at the same time, I’m sick of hearing that “the Caps have been the better team.” I don’t care about possession numbers; a team can possess the puck the whole game, but if they don’t shoot the damn puck (or keep shooting directly at the goalie’s body), they’re not playing better in a way that counts.
Bryan Johnson

TKO will save us. Kuznechkin will answer our prayers.
Cornelia Gustafson

Time for the deranged bunny to make an appearance.
TorontoCapsFan

It is important to remember that NHL teams are much more likely to come back from a 3-1 deficit since 2005 as the salary cap has increased parity. The Caps can do this!!
Minsk Fan

There’ve been times in my life
I’ve been wondering why
Still somehow I believed
We’d always survive

Now I’m not so sure
You’re waiting to hear
One good reason to try
But what more can I say?
What’s left to provide?

You think that maybe it’s over
Only if you want it to be
Are you gonna wait for your sign, your miracle?
Stand up and fight

(This is it)
Make no mistake where you are
(This is it)
Your back’s to the corner
(This is it)
Don’t be a fool anymore
(This is it)
The waiting is over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8SSdyflGN4
1994

They only have to win one game to right the ship. Then they need to win one game twice to take the series. No question that the Caps CAN do it. None at all. The only question is if they will, and there are reasons to believe they will. The extra day off certainly helps a bit. Takes away some of the Pens’ momentum and gives the Caps a chance to shake off Wednesday night’s OT loss. One game at at time. Let’s go get it!!
Locust Gee

Making those kind of guesses aren’t going to make you feel good even if it does come true I’d bet.
Mark

sssssccccoooooorrrreeeeee bbbbbooooooaaaaarrrrrrdddddddd

What stanley cup champion has been able to say that they didn’t have some puck luck at some point in the playoffs?

Stop being butthurt and take it like a man. Or you can just keep coming up with excuses to try and convince yourselves that you have a chance. The chance you have is a 9% chance. Only 8.7% (or 20 out of 229) of teams down 3-1 have come back to win the series.

Russian machine…..broken
Mark Keller

Or is it … Kuznechkie?
Jbroon

I BELIEVE.
Locust Gee

I’ll bet you never said that when your Pinz were down 3-1 all those times.
pp

With all the trouble we have closing out teams, maybe this is a blessing in disguise
Locust Gee

Guess, you’ve taken from a man – speaking from experience there?
Jbroon

awww, it so cute how you think we care.
Drew

Caps will definitely not lose tonight. I guarantee it.
Locust Gee

I remember when I set my wedding date a few years ago & got 20 years’ worth of weather data for the date I wanted.
So what happens on that day?

It poured.
And Poured. And poured.

Till 1 hour before the car picked us up for the ceremony.
The skies brighten.
The grounds dried up.
The flowers perked up.

Data doesn’t lie. Good predictor of outcome. Gotta stick to the plan & what got you there.
HockeyLvr

Please be right … please, please, PLEASE!! I’m so nervous…
Mark

Apparently you do since this post was written and you responded to my comment.
Mark

Gotta try everything once!
Drew Koslow

You know they don’t play tonight, don’t you?
Vladi72

We believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Locust Gee

You are a savant servicer that’s for sure!
Ryan Deem

“We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in DC and Pittsburgh, we shall fight on the ice and benches, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the crease, we shall defend our goal, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the boards, we shall fight on the neutral ice, we shall fight in the circles, we shall fight in our hearts; we shall never surrender.” -Barston Trotzhill
Drew

Yes, that is why I said they will definitely not lose tonight in response to his comment.
Drew Koslow

Oh yeah, it was completely desperate. (unlike Caps 🙂 )
Jbroon

Well played Sir! Consider yourself ignored (after this post of course)
Mark

I have in fact never said that when the Pens were down 3-1 in a series. You can cross your fingers and wish all the wishes you want but that doesnt change the fact that you have a 9% chance of winning a series when you are down 3-1. I fully expected you guys to shut the door in our 2009 run when you were up 3-1. We hit the lotto.
Mark

🙂 🙂
Locust Gee

Setting goals low to be surprised.
Why not just live life with no expectations.
9% is still better than no chances.

Rather have those odds than the no odds.
Clint Petty

“The Caps Have Come From Behind All Season”

We truly dominated the 3rd period this season. Why not dominate the “3rd period” of this series. I remain hopeful.

LETS GO CAPS
Scott

Historical odds of an NHL team coming back from a 3-1 deficit: poor. The series outcome for teams leading 3-1 is 254-28.

I love the Caps, and I admit this is miserable to say, but they are cooked.
Locust Gee

And you will still miserable after they are cooked?
What kind of person does this to themselves?
Predicting bad so they can feel still bad…
John S

Ah. I see the trolls have arrived. Please kindly return to under the bridge from whence you came.
Michael Reschly

Sons of Russia, of Sweden, my brothers! I see in your legs the same fatigue that would take the heart of me. A day may come when puck battles fails, when we forsake our forecheck, and trade all members of our core; but it is not this day! An hour of dump-and-change, and shattered sticks, when the Age of Ovi comes crashing down; but it is not this day! This day we play! By all that you hold dear on this good ice, I bid you skate, Men of the Caps!
Myan

Oh god that’s cringeworthy.

I LOVE IT!
Torn Meniscus

not looking for extra credit, and believe me I hope I’m wrong. The only thing that’s going to push this team any further this year is going to be the second coming of John Druce, and I’m not seeing any evidence of it.
Jason Smith

The good news for me is that I got my deep depression and Caps-fan angst over never winning anything out of the way Wednesday night. And all day yesterday, when I accomplished zero job-related activities and struggled to perform the basic duties of sustaining life.

Today, I am resigned to the fact that they will probably not advance but ready to have them pleasantly surprise me.

The real problem is going to be if they force a Game 7, reinflate my thoroughly crushed expectations and then screw the pooch in some new and unimaginably horrible way. Then I start searching Amazon for hemlock-based beverages.
Michael Reschly

Goats?

[Also, that’s recycled from last season].
Ryan Deem

Google “G.O.A.T.”
PWong

That’s totally Barry’s steampunk cosplay outfit
BooBird

Rangers fan here…

I have a few Caps fans good friends of mine who have gone from insufferable ego-maniacs shouting “Caps Are God!” to simpering little whining crybabies in one week… and it’s pissing me off…

You guys were not hallucinating all season, this Caps team is the best Eastern Team I have seen in 10 years. The Pens are playing WAAAY over their heads, and the Caps still have two gears left they haven’t used yet. All I’m hearing is “no one comes back from down 3-1 in the 2nd round”… Well, the Rangers did it to the Caps last year and to the Pens the year before that.. Have a little faith and snap out of it…

Don’t get me wrong, part of me would love to see Ovi get crushed, I hate that arrogant SOB… but I hate Crosby more. 🙂 Long time Rangers fans feel your pain… been there. Just hang in there… trust me, it’s worth it.
Phil

Yeah… The Caps have them right where they want them. Hahahaha! At least the Caps won’t choke away another 3-1 lead. Don’t get your hopes up too high fans… This team will ripe them out and stomp on them.
Jason Smith

“I think you’re all f**ked in the head. We’re three games from the f**king next round and you want to bail out! Well, I’ll tell you something, this is no longer a playoff, it’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun. I’m gonna have fun and you’re gonna have fun. We’re all gonna have so much f**king fun we’ll need plastic surgery to remove our g*d damn smiles! You’ll be whistling “Zippity Doo Da” out of your a**holes! I gotta be crazy! I’m on a pilgrimage to raise a cup! Praise Lord Stanley! Holy s***!”
Clark W. Trotzwald
Derek Z

I feel much better now, like I’ve consumed non-prescribed medication
Ryan Michael

Keep sending that bad juju Pittsburgh’s way, please keep trolling, troll hard
John

I’m going to rant about the Pittsburgh Penguins for a second.

-They get too many calls, because God forbid anyone touches Golden Boy “Face of the League” Sidney Crosby
-They have the DOPS, NBC, and basically the league in their pockets
-A number of their fans are very fair weather and classless. Almost every Pens fan I know talks big trash when they’re on top but resort to their 4th grade level of humor consisting of “no cups” and “Captain Caveman” jokes when they don’t succeed. When they win they’re all over the Smithsonian steps, but when they lose they leave Verizon Center with 5 minutes left in the game to avoid heckling. (Not saying every fan does this, but I’ve personally experienced a lot of what I’ve just described).

But the biggest problem? They’ve had our number for the past 20 years. They’re the ones with the Cups, the ones that are getting invited to 4 outdoor games, the ones with all of the support from the league. It’s hard for anyone involved with the Caps franchise to not absolutely despise the fuckin’ Pens.

And that’s why I have faith we can pull this off. We’re angry at this team, at our past playoff failures, at our lack of success. We know that if we can come back and beat this team, it’ll do wondrous things for us. It’ll not only put us in the ECSF for the first time in the Ovi era, but counteract that loss we had against the Pens in 2009, and exorcise our playoff demons from the last 20+ years. I think if we can channel all of this energy into positive playing and stick with it mentally, we can come back and do it.

C’mon, Caps. Redemption feels so sweet. Let’s go out there and win three straight. Rock the Red ’till I die.
VeggieTart

I hope you’re right. But these are the Caps, the Team of Murphy’s Law, the proverbial black cats who can find a way to throw stats to hell when it comes to blowing it.

Just don’t lose at home, please, so I don’t have to deal with the asshole Pittsburgh fans having their gloating session on the steps of the National Portrait Gallery.
Oakden Wolf

Great reasons. But I don’t think that the hockey gods have been appeased by a sacrifice yet.
RT23

Can we use Williams as the sacrifice. Then he can at least have some positive contribution to this series.
GMGMNeverBreaks

https://66.media.tumblr.com/46daa6deb1a255cef6a0594d21cad92b/tumblr_mlns1l9Z3Q1rytqjeo1_500.gif
Q

Believe.
Phil

I am baffled by the confidence of the posters here. This is the Washington Capitals we are talking about. They are the definition of post season failure and disappointment, It is what they do. There is a 0% chance they win this series.
GMGMNeverBreaks

There is power in King’s blood.
VeggieTart

Two years ago, the Kings were down 3-0 to the Sharks and won four straight.
Kyle

Dearest Abigail,

We are down but not out. If all goes well, I be home in June.
Mark

Is that what you say when you go to a casino too? Because if so then you are their perfect customer.
RT23

At least one of these needs to quickly be made into a scoreboard video for Saturday night. Ted, are you one this?
Phil

Mark is right. The Pens will win this series. The Caps are a joke of a franchise.
Mark

At least one person on here has some common sense.
DoxinCalvert

You missed the sixth reason:

http://wtop.com/maryland/2016/05/penguin-that-wore-a-wetsuit-and-starred-in-kids-book-dies/

…a little dark, yes. Take note of the little guys name…
VeggieTart

Thanks. I think.
Locust Gee

No – that’s what you say when you have expectations & experience success based on a discipline.
Not walk out the front door not having a clue and ‘experimenting.’ (based on your prior proclamation)
VeggieTart

You’re just jealous because your team doesn’t have a cool blog like this.

Now, run along, little boy.
Locust Gee

Hey I still see you guys as this from last season…so I echo the “thanks..I think” part 😛
http://nyrangersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2014/05/weaintdeadyet..jpg
Phil

The Caps will show up for 20 of them…
Phil

Don’t get your hopes up. It is the Caps we are talking about here. They will rip your hopes up and stomp on them. It is what they do.
sgm

Would you mind telling the guys in the room this as well? They’re the ones who really have to believe it’s possible.
RT23

1 Win restores our confidence
1 Win gets them worried
1 Win closes it out
3 Simple steps
Locust Gee

Low self esteem. ^^^
Michael Reschly

No.
Locust Gee

Picked on much as a child? ^^^
Phil

There will not be a Game 7. Pittsburgh is better than the Caps. The Caps are done.
Michael Reschly

1 to bind them.
BooBird

hahaha…. You’re welcome… mostly. 🙂
Phil

No chance. The Pens are the better team. The Caps are done. See you next year for more Post Season disappointment. Then let’s talk about getting rid of everyone on this team.
Mark

So you expect to win at something that you have a 9% chance of winning?
sgm

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Eeyore.gif
Jason Smith

Hey RMNB, could you think about adding a “block” function?
I don’t mind opposing team trolls but I can’t stand the pretend Caps fan trolls.
Shane Smallwood

Go back to some Pittsburgh fanblog bro
Phil

Not at all actually. It is called realism. Let’s see the Caps actually come back to win this series. When they do you can come back and tell me what an idiot I am. Until the happens, I am the one who is correct.
Shane Smallwood

He’s posted a bunch of comments with the same exact thing, definitely a Penguins fan.
Phil

It is called Realism. The Pens completely OWN the garbage Caps.
Phil

I know. The truth hurts.
Jbroon

Dear God. Please stop.
greg

the caps play dirty hockey that the nhl is trying to get rid of ov’s slash should have landed him in the penalty box but to sum it up the Pittsburgh penguins are the better team and want the cup more ! go pens.
Shane Smallwood

Phil, what are you doing on here? Shouldn’t you be practicing for the game and not scoring goals or something? or eating hot dogs? Truth be told though, the joke of a franchise would be the one whose fans abandoned the team a mere decade after they won a cup and almost lost that team as a result.
Shane Smallwood

9% is I believe the historical number, pretty sure it has been higher since the lockout.
Jbroon

Wait. You are correct because something that has not happened yet has not happened?
That is some 4th dimensional chess you are playing.
Phil

I don’t agree that the Caps are dirty. But I do agree that the Pens are definitely the better team. They completely own the Caps.
Shane Smallwood

Well, at least we can take comfort in knowing that the Penguins as they are playing will never beat a Western conference team. Can’t expect all that puck luck to carry out against the Blues or Stars or especially the Sharks with the way they are playing this year.
Jbroon

Why are you here then? Its just weird. And a little creepy.
Phil

This guy reminds me of the sad sack organization AKA the Washington Capitals.
Ryan Deem

Phil? Hey, Phil? Phil! Phil Connors? Phil Connors, I thought that was you!

https://media.giphy.com/media/DViGV8rfVjw6Q/giphy.gif
Shane Smallwood

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaahhahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahhahahahhahahhahahahahahahhahahahhahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahhahahhahah
Phil

What is really weird is why you are obsessed with me and why you still think the Caps are a team capable of doing anything in the playoffs.
Phil

Bill Murray represents the Penguins and the other guy represents the Caps. (Or me after game 4 on Wednesday night).
Phil

Ok Bro
Jbroon

Honestly? Because whether the Caps win or lose, the sun rises the next day. My six year old gets up to play. I’m positive because I choose to be. I was a long suffering Skipkjacks fan before I adopted the Caps when they left town in the early 90s. I’ve been an Orioles fan my whole life (and they last won anything import in 83). I like the Caps and I follow the Caps.
I’m not obsessed with you honestly. But I am curious as to why someone who is so dejected as you feels the need to come on here and sh*t on everyone who is trying to be optimistic.
Phil

The Caps wouldn’t know anything about winning a cup. Never will.
Phil

The Caps will not prove me wrong. Guarantee it.
Phil

If you are a Caps fan you should be used to getting sh*t on.
Shane Smallwood

The Pens have a plastic fanbase. What a joke of a city.
Shane Smallwood

lololololololololololololol
CapsF92

That same thing happened to me! It was wild.
Phil

I am not arguing that Pittsburgh is a better town than DC. I am merely saying the Penguins are a WAY better hockey team than the Caps.
Ryan Deem

Phil is actually a physical embodiment of your current opinion(s) on the article above. Bill represents the collective consciousness of the rest of us.
Ross99

lolololololololololololololololololololololololololol hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. You probably thought the Avalanche were the best team in the league two seasons ago too.
Locust Gee

And you will still be a menace on the street, drink too much in public, and not send your Mom any flowers Sunday.

So how does predicting the Caps’ demise make you feel?

Still rotten and angry. Sad. Sad. Sad.
Phil

Not to me. To me Phil represents the Capitals entire franchise history and Bill represents the Penguins. Not sure if Phil ever got up from this.
Whitey Wheeler

It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings!
Bilal Siddiqui

#TeamOfDestiny
Phil

I just don’t think the fan base should invest to much in this team that doesn’t care, doesn’t try, and is way over-hyped. Just looking out for you guys.
Bilal Siddiqui

Give us some of your 3-1 series comeback juice
Phil

#Pens
Phil

Nah man…. It’s over.
Ryan Deem

No offense, but this is another one of the opinions mentioned above…
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

lolololololololololol
Jason Smith

Just curious, how would you know how it feels to be a Caps fan?
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahha
Mark

so 9.4%
Oakden Wolf

“So what happened to the Greeks at Thermopylae?”

“Slaughtered to the last man.”
Phil

I Used to be a Caps fan until I decided I would rather cheer for winning teams.
Bilal Siddiqui

I mean they shot the puck quite a bit in game 3
50 shots is a lot
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Nah Kimosabe, that’s Sid. Nother concusion.
Bilal Siddiqui

This is a form of reverse jinxing right? Super hardcore that you won’t even tell anyone? In which case I want in.

Caps suck Pens will win
Jason Smith

Obviously, self-awareness is not your thing, but go ahead and read that last comment of yours aloud and see if you can get an inkling of just how pathetic and douchey it might read to everyone else.
Oakden Wolf

“But no living man am I ! You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not
deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him. “
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

No, here is Phil. Pregame snack and all.
Phil

It is called being realistic. What kind of person still pretends that the Caps are actually capable of winning anything? It’s like the people who stayed on the Titanic still convinced that she was unsinkable.
Oakden Wolf

Kinda seemed appropriate, given that we’re playing the hockey equivalent of Sauron’s army.
Locust Gee

Tell Kunitz to quit slashing & we’ll tell OV to stop making Crosby cry.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

phil, is that you? Man put your picture up as your avatar. Hard to tell when its you posting. Don’t worry, I attached it here for you.
Locust Gee

We got time & we got money.
Something pittsturdnites don’t have.
Phil

This is what 90% of the fans at Verizon Center remind me of.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

As opposed to penguins fans, who are literal human shit.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

I see, so you were cheering for Chicago until they got eliminated. Now it makes sense brah.
Phil

Got it Brah?
Locust Gee

Unfortunately, he’s some angry old man.

Keep your dogs,cats & children locked up.
Look at his profile….eeash.

https://disqus.com/by/disqus_GddAfRqdyM/
Jbroon

This made me laugh so loud that I think the other people in my cube farm are concerned about my welfare.
Jbroon

Who are you to tell me what not to waste me my money on?
Locust Gee

I dunno, appears you are used to it pretty good from your posting.
Most of the Caps fans who posted here pretty much have never had a complex like your.
Jbroon

Maybe I don’t want to be realistic about this. My life is filled with too much realism.
Phil

To each his own…
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Nice hair Phil! You need to grow it out more often. Though try to get the mustard stains off your shirt next time.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e7eac9b206b570c33c10a7c72aea1923a571168c10ea65b39a00cad1149d564e.jpg
Phil

Like my…….. what?
Drew Koslow

I think it’s called trolling.
Phil

Not sure what the Steelers have to do with the Pens whooping up on the Caps, but OK.
Locust Gee

Sorry , never been on Titanics – you have speakng from experience.
Not a loser like you -wasting time on this ‘loss cause’.
Throwing valuable time & resources at it. apparently,.
Way to live angry grandpa.
Locust Gee

Deranged.
Sad.
Angry.
Phil

This should be the Caps new mascot for Saturday night.
VeggieTart

Well, Malkin didn’t get a call from the league for headshotting Daniel Winnick, so whatever.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Dude, I am just trying to make you feel at home. These are your people Phil! I know all the people with jobs and stuff commenting on this blog probably makes you feel uncomfortable because its so foreign to a Penguins fan, so i wanted to be nice and add a little Pitt to the comment section. BTW can you wait for Crosby’s next concision? ME NEITHER!
Henry S.

Here we stand. Staring off into the abyss of a 3-1 series hole, grasping at what hope remains, or letting despair wash over us as we gaze unblinkingly into the depths of yet another playoff disappointment. Oh, what could have been, what should have been! We all wanted to believe that this year’s team was special, that this was the year that the pain and torment of May and June would finally never come. We believed that this team, that we, had everything needed to finally realize that which has eluded us. Yet today heartbreak sets in again.
All is not lost. All has not yet been written. We should know all too well that nothing is decided until that fourth game is won. We believed that this team was special. We were right to believe so. How many times have we seen a team be pushed to brink of elimination only to find themselves in the desperation? How many times have we seen ourselves falter when it appeared comfortably in hand? Game four was not the end. Game four was a missed opportunity, but game four was simply game four.
You may feel that what lays before our Capitals is some insurmountable task. It is not. Win one game. That is the only task that our Capitals have to do. Win one in Washington. Win one for Washington. Win one for themselves. Win one as we man the wall behind them. Do you believe they can do that? If you believe they can then all is not lost. All we must do is win the next one.
Even in defeat there was enough in games three and four to give us hope. We have seen our red clad warriors dominate the opposition. We have seen what they need to do to be victorious. We have seen them do it. We have seen the chinks in Murray’s armor. We have seen Pittsburgh enough to know where they are strong and where they are weak.
Two days we have to prepare. Two days we have to adjust. Two days we have to analyze. Two days we have to ready ourselves for one game. If you were a believer then, you have two days to reflect on and find what it was that you believed in, again. In two days we man the wall.
Phil

What is a “concision”?
Locust Gee

What? Blank – empty – waste of space you like?

21st century – learn to post Gramps.
Phil

Try refreshing your browser.
Michael Fanning

First off, I believe the Caps can win the game, especially if they approach it as this game is the one that matters. If they come in thinking they’ve got to win three in a row, and, wow, what a daunting challenge, it’s over. Don’t think about where they’re going after the game, don’t think about what their plans are for next week, just think about the puck dropping at 7:15 and what they’re going to do over the next sixty minutes of game time to make it a reality. Do that, and the game can absolutely be won.
A couple of thoughts on your thoughts – shooting percentage. I’m not sure the actual usefulness of this statistical measure as a predictor of anything. Chimera’s tip-in against the Flyers from behind the red line counts the same as OVs snipe the other night. The quality of those shots is vastly different, even if the outcome is the same. Likewise, shooting percentage doesn’t include events such as blocked shots, missed shots (whether off the pipes or 3′ wide and high). It’s probably a pretty good bet that shots that hit a squared-away goalie on the bottom half of the crest are going to be stopped about 99% of the time. If those are the shots you take, your shooting percentage will not go up. Likewise, if all the shots are unscreened or from long range without anyone in front of the net, there probably will be just as low a shooting percentage as we’ve seen so far. So using that as a reason we’ll win is not the strongest argument.
We’ve outplayed them – agreed for games 3 and 4, but not so much for game 2. Still, the lesson to take from that is that after 37 minutes of really bad offensive hockey (the defense at least played well), we only lost by one goal. And, in fact, we’ve only lost by one goal in every game thus far.
Someone else has done it, so we can to – That’s a really minor point, since history doesn’t directly impact the game on the ice. If players let it get into their heads and play poorly, then yes, it does, but otherwise, the players affect the game being played and not history. We attribute meaning to patterns perceived in history, but those patterns are only valid until they are broken. The Caps had never played in a Stanley Cup final, until they did. The Caps haven’t been past the second round, until, perhaps, they get past it.
Phil

The Caps (and the fans) are worried about Game 7 already. That is exactly why there will be no game 7/
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

That would be an awful costume! it would really be innapropriate of Caps fans to taunt Pittsburgh fans with food they can’t afford! Maybe we could do some barley soup or something? Vegetable broth? Bowl of brown?
Oakden Wolf

Hey, I think we should submit a proposal to the Powers That Be to rename Murphy’s Law “Capitals’ Law”. Because really, how many horribly bad things happened to this Murphy guy?
Locust Gee

I’m surprised it’s sooo easy to pull your little dog collar around.
Esp. now that you hiding your lunatic fringe rages on WTOP’s comment section & wishing ill to every poster you.

Damn road rager of the net…watch out everyone!
sgm

One board battle at a time. One shift at a time. Just focus on winning each board battle, each shift they’re on the ice and the game will take care of itself.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Good idea Phil. I know you appreciate what a pain in the ass that is to refresh everything though. What with your dial up internet and everything.
Rhino40

So Say We All…
Derrick Eadler

Uh, that doesn’t sound right
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Dammit Phil, you got me! I am Sidney Crosby. I get on blogs sometimes to interact with my favorite fans. Sometimes I misspell stuff though because of my post-concision syndrome. Keep up the good work Phil, you show as much class as our entire organization and city! A true honor to all Shitsburghians (Dammit, there goes my concision stuff again).
Hencakes

Not everyone lives life as miserable as you.
Phil

Concision (alternatively brevity, Laconicism, terseness, or conciseness) is the art and practice of minimizing words used to convey an idea. It aims to make communication more effective by eliminating redundancy without omitting important information.
Locust Gee

TIME TO GO BACK TO wtop’s BOARDS GRAMPS!
THIS IS A GROWNUP BOARD.
BillyBones

Why look farther than the Blues-Hawks series..The Hawks were down 3-1 and ended up tying the series and forcing a game 7. If the Caps can force a game 7, I think I like our chances better. The only game I actually worry about is game 6 but if the Caps’ new shake up of the lines pans out, we should be able to win it. If Holtby can play like the HoltBeast he is, there’s no reason to believe the Caps can’t win this series.
Phil

Is this what you play when you think of me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIs5StN8J-0
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Phil, nice!!! I didn’t know you could read. Or afford a dictionary.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Actually strike that last part. Kind of a gross assumption about you. I realize now you are probably typing this stuff into the public computer at the Carnegie library. Tons of books around and plenty of librarians to read them out to you. I mean, how immature is it of me to assume someone in Pittsburgh owns a computer. My bad bro.
Phil

See what I mean? So worried about Game 7 that there will be no game 7. Understand?
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Phil! It’s me Sid, from hockey. Nice job with the internet searching! Impressive. Shocked you knew how to type words into a keyboard.
Andrew Freeman

F.Forsberg?
Was not he sacrificed?
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Phil, you gotta give these Dc guys a break. See they usually went to school past 4th grade, unlike Pittsburgh guys like you and me. they have something called reading comprehension. i know, long word, tough to get. Just ask one of those librarians for help and they will explain it.
Phil

Comparing the LA Kings to the Caps? Bwhahahahaha!!!!!
Brown

Right on. Great opportunity is born out of the ashes of adversity. It is time for the law of averages to kick in
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Phil, did you block me? Is this upsetting you or something? Thought you would love to hear from your best bro, Sid. Guess I was wrong and your aren’t such a super fan 87 anymore. see what you did to me?
Sean

Brilliant post! Thank you!!
irockthered

Somethin’ in my eye after this one…!
BillyBones

Pens choked away a 3-1 lead against the Rangers after losing the first game and winning 3 straight not too long ago..They had a much better team back then too!
Michael Reschly

I find this scene more emotional

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBtzudk40pE
Phil

Take comfort in the fact playing a Western conference team won’t be a problem the Caps will have to worry about this year.
Jbroon

Dude, you are KILLING me. :>
irockthered

Your attitude, good sir, leaves much to be desired. You have not known agony until you have spent a 50-year life as a fan of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have not won a pennant in over 100 years! A HUNDRED YEARS! Their last World Series title was in 1907 for f***’s sake! Do not speak to me of agony. Do not speak to me of being sh*t upon. The Flyers have not won the Stanley Cup since the first year the Caps EXISTED.

THIS IS OUR YEAR, GOD DAMMIT! WE WILL PREVAIL!

I WILL NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN MY TEAM. NEVER.
JenniferH

And that’s when Justin Williams comes into play!
Rhino40

I regret that I have only one upvote to give for that comment.
Phil

You will have to excuse me, I have had a few concisions in my life as well…
Jbroon

/* stands at the edge of the diving board, slapping arms back and forth */
This is crazy…this is crazy…this is crazy..
/*jumps*/
Phil

It’s easier to take when you city has other winning teams… DC has nothing. Nothing.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

You think the Lightning or Islanders are that tough, huh? Well, as a professional Pittsburgh Penguins player I know we take comfort in the fact that we won’t have to worry about them as well. thanks for the words of wisdom Phil!
-Your pal,
Sid
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Damn, now I know why you don’t recognize me Phil. It’s because this is actually Amanda 🙂 The best Kessel. Get well Amanda! I hope you don’t have any concision issues anymore.
bossman

Well done….
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

I don’t know why. Just me, Sidney (My friends call me Kid-ney because I kid all the time) Crosby, chatting with my best bud Phil. In fact, here is a picture I took when we were together the other day.
Jbroon

I think you need a hug.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

I know Marc, right!! I am assuming this is my good friend Marc-Andre Fleury. Good to see you bud.

-Your pal,
Sid the Kid
TasteTheHeat

Caps got the Pens right where they want them.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

A little bit higher. and against this Pens team, i’ts more like 50%.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Phil, why did you make your account private?
– The # 1 Phil superfan: Sidney Crosby
irockthered

Once more onto the ice, dear friends, once more;
Or close the box up with our penalties.
In the locker room there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of a goal blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of a Rocket:
Stiffen the stick blades, summon up the puck,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d checks;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let fly the puck through the five hoal to the goal
Like the brass goal horn; let the goals o’erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth an Ovi shot
O’er hang and jutty the goalie’s confounded glove,
Swill’d with the wild orange Gatorade.
Now set the mouth guard and stretch the nostrils wide,
Hold hard to the puck and bend up every wrist shot
To its full speed. On, on, you noblest Capitals.
Whose blood is fet from skaters of years past,
Skaters that, like so many Alexanders
Have on this ice from morn till even skated
And sheathed their blades for the Zamboni
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call’d fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of Penguin’s blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good Capitals,
Whose skates were honed in Kettler, show us here
The mettle of your practice; let us swear
That you are worth your trophies; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like centres at the dot,
Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge,
Cry ‘God for Barry, Washington, and Saint Richard!’
HockeyLvr

I love this!!
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Phil, why did you make your account private?

– The # 1 Phil superfan!: Sidney Crosby
Phil

Serious question…. When the Caps lose game 5 tomorrow night will you still think this is funny? I mean do you think it’s actually funny how much the Pens own the Caps?
Jbroon

yep. It just hockey. It will suck for a day or two.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Funny. This wasn’t ever supposed to be funny. Trust me, when Sidney Crosby is funny, everyone will crack a smirk. I sincerely think you are a cool guy who makes interesting points. I can tell you probably don’t have many, possibly any, friends and i wanted to reach out. Do you want to be one of Sid’s pals? After we probably lose to the capitals I am sure you and me will have tons of time this summer to go walking through the streets of Pittsburgh with our shoes off, letting the garbage get all between our toes. Maybe we can even get a couple hotdogs! I know you are down for that Phil.
– Sid the Kid
Mark

Do you even know that Phil is making fun of you? You can talk to me about the education level of Caps vs. Pens fans when you learn how to spell. Until then go back to your speak and spell and learn how to spell the word CONCUSSION.
irockthered

Dude. The U and the I keys are right next to each other. Lighten up; it’s a friggin’ TYPO. :-p
Mark

Concision and Concussion are not even close. Do you need a speak and spell also?
Phil

There is no chance the Caps beat the Pens. None. But just keep deflecting with humor. I understand that is how some people deal with rooting for such a disappointing franchise like the Washington Capitals. When you don’t have an actual NHL caliber team (at least not in the post season) I guess all you got left is humor, sadness, or both.
Ricki

I really needed this post!
Mark

So still a coin flip? After all of this you still don’t think your team has a better chance than a coin flip of coming back in this series? Hahaha…..we don’t need to troll you….you’re doing a good enough job of trolling yourself.
Jbroon

You really don’t get it do you? We all know the chances aren’t great. But so what? Its gotta change sometime. And why not now?
But if it doesn’t, oh well. My mortgage is still due on the 1st.
Its so much easier to despair, than it is to hope.
Mark

My name is spelt with a K, not a C. Maybe that’s your problem. You can’t read your speak and spell because you need glasses. I wonder if this is the same reason you think the Craps are a good team? Makes sense if you can’t watch them get dominated and all you can hear is the PA announcer who makes you feel like you’re at a monster truck show.
Phil

Why does it have to change? The Pens dominate the Caps and they are clearly the better team.
Jbroon

It is a little weird that a Penguins fan spends all his time on a Caps board.
Jbroon

It doesn’t. Doesn’t matter.
Scott

I will indeed still be miserable, but at least I will have closure. 🙂

I am a data-driven guy, and a realist. Just because I want to vomit just thinking about yet another playoff loss to the Penguins doesn’t make it any less likely to happen. Run a sim on this series eleven times and the Caps win once. Let’s just hope that once begins tomorrow night.

P.S. The stats also say that teams down 3-1 are more likely than not to lose game five. It’s around 53-47.
Scott

I hope shuffling lines at this point isn’t like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic, but it kind of feels that way.
Mark

Maybe you’re just upset because we actually care about our teams enough to embarrass ourselves? Whats the most you Craps fans can muster up? Showing up to the Craps games in your freshly pressed Ovechkin jersey with your button down oxford shirt collar coming out of the top? Seriously I have not seen more douchy looking guys at a sporting event than i have at a Craps game. Hockey isn’t a white collar sport. Get over yourselves and go play some polo.
Mark

Who said i spend all my time here? This is in fact the first time I have visited this site. I think there have been more reaction comments to us trolls than actual posts with sustenance. Job well done Phil!
Phil

My guess is that Phil Kessel has the GWG tomorrow night. Just for you.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Why would Phil the Thrill make fun of Sid the kid? That just doesn’t make sense.
Rhino40

Now you’ve done it, Jackass.

Your numerous snarks on this blog make clear your belief that the Penguins >>>>>> the Capitals, that they always have been and always will be, no matter what, forever and ever.

You are entitled to your opinion.

That said, why are you here? Why are you not on PensBlog crowing about your 3-1 edge in the series?

• Why are you not there trading clever remarks with your fellow Penguin fans?

• Why are you not there voicing your confidence that the best season in our franchise history will be nothing more than a footnote to yet another chapter in the Eternal Saga of Penguin Glory™?

• Why are you not there making your usual tired, cruel jokes about “no Cups” and “never have, never will”?

• Why are you not there brimming with confidence that yet another Cup is coming to Pittsburgh?

When the Caps went up 3-0 on the Flyers (and ultimately defeated them), we did not go onto Flyers’ blogs to further torment them because we have more class than that.

We Caps fans know our history, we know about pain, we know about frustration, and we know all about disappointment. We don’t need you coming into our house to rub it in. We don’t need your help being miserable.

Again, why are you here and not there? Judging from the content of your remarks, you get more pleasure from tormenting us than from celebrating with you fellow Penguinoids. In my book (and according to the DSM as well), that makes you a sadist…and no one likes a sadist.

Don’t go away mad…just go away.

And just remember that when (if) the Pens win another Cup, you had absolutely nothing to do with it.
7deadlyseths

I’m glad you guys posted this article. Part of the comeback is fan support, I don’t care what anyone says. Too many loyal fans have given up. This is the stuff we need to be reading and promoting. If we give up on them, can we hate them when we perceive they’ve given up? Let us not be hypocrites. Always keep the faith. (RIP Raybeez)
Phil

If this happens, it will probably happen in Game 7 to make it hurt more.
Jbroon

mmmm….sustenance. I will say, I just find it weird when other fans go to other team boards and post stuff. And that includes Caps fans who do the same.
But you know, good show, you win I guess.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Yes, we Penguins are a quality hockey team. Quality is what you call is when someone is outplayed in a hockey game but just manage to get lucky bounces, right?
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

It’s just based on your history bro. penguins have lost 50% of these type of series. You know .. like I said. i am not giving benefit to my team unrealistically, just reporting the actual facts. You should try it sometime.
Phil

The Penguins have won 85.8% of the post season series they have played against the Caps. It’s about to be 87.5%.
Phil

“Lucky bounces” are just what losers use as excuses.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Woah!!! I would let you know I can see perfectly well. Unlike yourself I did not grow up working in a coal mine getting the black lung and losing my eyesight to dim lights. But those lights are just like the people of Pittsburgh, dim. Maybe in your shanty town of a city you guys never learned how to watch a hockey game and never realized that things occur outside of the scoreboard. I know you probably feel good about yourself because you can actually read the scoreboard, but the rest of your fanbase probably just gets excited about the bright colors and shiny lights. I’ll forgive you, because I know like the rest of your city you are probably unemployed and bitter that big steel and big coal are not what they used to be. With that I say ado sir. Go back to your embarrassment of a city and enjoy squalor, because I am done with you.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Your team almost left the city because nobody showed up. You guys a plastic fanbase with no real loyalty. A joke of a people form a joke of a city. Pittsburgh is only good to use as an example of what poverty and beer bellied, mullet-wearing, mustard stain, sadsack humans look like.
Phil

Keep worrying about Game 7.
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

Haha Well someone from Pittsburgh would know what losers do. Your whole city is a loser. The asshole of America. you make Philly look like a paradise. May God wipe that abomination from the shores of America.

-Your biggest fan.
Sid the Kid
Phil Kessel: Hotdog Lover

hahahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahha
Phil

Ain’t that bright is you boy?
Phil

The fans look at you funny if you actually cheer for the Caps at the Verizon Center. They just ask you if you can keep it down because you might upset their children. The Verizon Center is a joke.
Mark

You said a 50% chance against THIS Pens team. Not against historic Pens teams. Just reporting the actual words you said. You should try it sometime. Bro.
Derek Eklund

I can’t handle this hope and heartbreak.
Locust Gee

Work in data here myself -Data Management & DQ.
We have a saying where I work: if data isn’t pristine, then why should the conclusion be?

Your data isn’t 100% my friend.
Phil

Does it make it more sour to you that their hockey team is like A LOT better than the Caps? The future is also probably brighter for them. The Caps have a bunch of losers locked up for the next forever in OV And Backstrom. They should trade those guys now while they can actually get something for them.
Phil

There is no hope.
Mark

This comment just further reiterates the fact that you are complete moron. Apparently you can’t even get the facts straight of the city that you were trying to make fun of. Coal? Try steel you idiot. What’s even funnier is that the steel industry hasn’t even been in Pittsburgh since you crawled out of your mothers womb. If you actually took the time to look up some facts about Pittsburgh before you started spewing diarrhea you would’ve read that Pittsburgh is actually one of the leading cities for science and medicine.

Oh, and by the way…..I live in DC. I’ll be the one laughing hysterically from the steps as you pout your way down in to the metro after the game to go back to your shitty studio apartment that you can barely afford because, knowing you intelligence, you’re probably a janitor.
Mark

You should really check your spelling and grammar before posting…..
Phil

The Caps players must pee in their pants a little bit when they go in the Penguin house at the Zoo.
Phil

I am not from Pittsburgh. All I know is that their hockey team is way better than the Caps.
Mark

God forbid you disturb them from staring at their phones the entire game!
Phil

She’s already tipped up and pointing straight up in the air!
WhiskyMonk

Hory Clap, there is geyser full of troll rants on this article!!

Why isn’t the moderator banning away?

Anyways, to put things in perspective – 2 people were shot and killed today due to someone’s descent in rage and madness. That is a tragedy and is worth getting upset over. Hockey is a game. It doesn’t really matter. It’s a distraction from life’s daily grind – not its purpose.

Besides, don’t you trolls have jobs? Do something constructive with your lives instead of rotting away in your grandmother’s basement.
Keith Messer

Completely agree on the point about attacking with all five guys in the O zone… Whether it will yield more offense and force their forwards to have more respect for our D men, as opposed to the opposite (our D playing overly cautious out of respect for the speed of the pens) which is currently taking place, or simply lead to more odd man rushes going the other way I have no idea…
DC Hockey Nut

… time to be a Debbie Downer. Point #2 is a classic example of a Gambler’s Fallacy. Saying it’s not sustainable is one thing about a single stretch of a large data set, but the way you’ve presented it is like saying you just flipped a coin 5 times, they all landed heads, so the next 5 flips have to be tails. Sure the Caps have been getting a lot of shots in the last couple of games, but that’s not enough.

What’s been the story of how we’ve gotten scored on, this entire post season? Someone making a really, really big flub in a panicked moment. We could get away with it more against Philly as they’re not the most skilled team out there, but this is Pittsburgh. Their talent level is equivalent to ours – and we’ve got talent out the wazoo – but when a crucial split second decision needs to be made on the ice, our guys have consistently made the wrong choice more often than they have. All the individual talent in the world on our players won’t get them very far if they cannot learn to make better decisions under pressure. Hell, we look more calm and collected when we’re on the goddamn Penalty Kill than we do during 5v5 play.

You can see it on both sides of the ice. We’re getting a ton of shots these last couple of games, but so many times we’ve had the puck in the high slot, and instead of shooting it we try and pass it to someone else. This usually ends up as either a perimeter shot, a bad angle shot, or totally coughing up the puck and losing possession.

This is particularly true on our top line, and has been ever since Ovi got here. It’s like every player he’s ever paired with has a psychological disorder that makes them scared of shooting the puck themselves. Oshie scored a ton of goals early in the season because for once, we had a right wing that wasn’t afraid of shooting *and* had the talent to back it up. Later in the regular season he nearly stopped scoring altogether because it looked like everyone, Oshie included, was trying to help Ovi get to 50 goals again. This has persisted in to the playoffs, and this bad habit needs to stop.

Our guys have been nervous about this series from the start of Game 1 forward. Our passing has been terrible, so many passes have had zero pace on them, or are badly off the mark because someone panicked and hurried it off. How many times have we seen someone pass the puck to… nobody?

We’ve been playing like we’re afraid of holding the puck, and not knowing what to do with it when we do have it under normal circumstances. We’ve been like this for years and I have no idea how to fix this. We are fundamentally flawed.

As much as I hate to say this, I believe it’s unlikely that we’ll still be playing after tomorrow night, and a goddamn miracle if we make it to game 7.
WhiskyMonk

You are being absolutely realistic.

As much as I want the Caps to win this thing, the reality of the math and the play of the team thus far doesn’t point anywhere near to a 3 game win streak in this series. The only – I repeat, O N L Y – way that I see some miracle turn around in the Caps fate is if Hollby get possessed by some ancient hockey demon and is able to completely shut down every puck tossed in his general direction. Something absurd, like 69 saves out of 70 shots.

That’s just not going to happen. At this point and being a realist, all I hope for is a solid win on Saturday night just for pride’s sake and nothing more. If anything more happens after that: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!!

But no matter what happens, the Caps will always have my unfettered support – no matter how often they break my heart.
BillyBones

I don’t agree with that at all..Sure, Holtby playing like Rinne will help A LOT. But the Caps could have EASILY won the last 3 games and have swept the Pens..The problem is, we’re not getting bodies to the net and our shots are being blocked by the 5 Pens who converge in front of Murray. The first 2 goals scored in game 4 were ones that Holtby would save 9/10 times.

The only way I see the Caps winning is making the Pens earn every goal like the Pens have done with the Caps. No more giving the puck right to a Pens player in our zone with little to no pressure (Schmidt), and no more telegraphing weak passes that can easily be intercepted.

But win or lose, these guys will always have our support, I just hope they shock us all and stick it to history!
Owen Johnson

Dear Penguins fans
Noel Barrymore

Its pretty clear the Caps are capable of winning this series. Will they win this series? Well, the Pens have a pretty clear edge right now, so they might or might not. Washington isn’t out by a long shot though, and the only way to come back in a series like this is one game at a time. On to game 5.
Julia Ely

PIERRE. I can’t handle this, thank you for posting.
Eric B.

Elevated pucks = different series
Whitey Wheeler

Like when I was over yo mama last night. Get a life.
Owen Johnson

Dude. Every game has been a coin flip. A couple bounces go differently and the Caps are UP 3-1. This basically looks like the Rags series last year; two teams basically evenly matched with one team winning 3 of the first 4 coin flips. That series was decided in Game 7 in OT.
And, even if they lose tomorrow, you’d be crazy to start a rebuild! They just finished one of the greatest regular seasons EVER and just got unlucky with the draw (if we were in the Atlantic, I think we’d already be in the ECF). We’re getting basically everyone back next year, plus a couple prospects who may be ready. All the contracts run out NEXT season. THAT’S when you do the rebuild.
Phil

So you lose to the Pens in the ECF? What’s the difference? This team is playoff losers. The only thing that matters is the cup. This team has done everything else. There is nothing else. This team is psychologically damaged and has too much playoff baggage and failure to be successful. The only way that changes is to get rid of all of them.
Mahesh Prasad

“Lookit. I have never seen a bunch of guys. Look so fuckin down when something bad happens. What’re you guys like prima donna perfect that you can’t fuckin handle adversity? So shit’s not going right. It ain’t fuckin working the last 10 games. Fuckin get your heads out of you ass and make it work by outworking the opposition! … … … If ya want it, don’t just THINK ya want it. Go out and FUCKIN want it. But you’re not looking like you want it, you look like you’re feeling sorry for yourselves. And nobody fuckin wants anybody that’s feeling sorry for themselves. You’ve got 180 (+) fuckin minutes, you’re down by two fuckin games. Surely the fuck we can deal with this.”
Chris Cline

Caps have not been the better team!!! I will give you game 3 where they clearly were but two games in DC Pens were better and game 4 was pretty even with both teams controlling pace at points in the game. Take off your homer glasses
DB Tsorin

Nice transmutation of Ovi and Kuzy
DB Tsorin

That’s very close to how you would say “grasshoppers” in russian. But yes, they can def use a good jump!
BooBird

They’re ALL game 7s now…
Mark

God forbid you disturb them from staring at their phones the whole game!
Mark

I guess I win!
Chris Cline

Don’t capitalize every Pens fan like that.Best believe if I’m paying half a week’s pay on tickets I’m staying until the Fat Lady Sings and still staying hoping she comes back for an encore. I too do not like Fairweather fans. I used to get heckled here in Pittsburgh for buying Pirate merchandise and going to games cause That teams horrible and why would you support a loser organization. But best believe past three seasons when they got good it was out of my price range for playoff tickets but stadium all of a sudden was full of the same damn Snobs who aren’t even fans but buying the hot ticket in town. Pens are no different, pre 2004 season when our star was Dick Tarnstrom and we sucked empty arena and team on verge of moving. A lottery ball goes our Way, we get Sid Geno and Fleury and now every person is thus huge Pens fan who were all there all along and not Fairweather at all. They know two players on the team, give input like they have a clue but are wealthy enough to get seats. Win or lose I support our teams but I’m probably the exception rather than majority.
Chris Cline

That’s a good name(funny too) Let me guess you heard an article about how Phil Kessel used to buy a hotdog in Toronto before each game. Original and clever
Earl Roy Schweppes

It’s 3-1 in the favor of the Pens.
AND I have a feeling the Caps are VERY capable of sustaining a lousy shooting percentage. It what they do–in the playoffs.
Scott

Good comment. This coin-flip aspect of games between good teams is one of the few things I dislike about hockey. As a fan, I loved the Minnesota-Dallas series in the first round because the games were wide-open and exciting, with lots of scoring, odd-man rushes, and offensive zone time. In addition to being frustrating for me as a Caps fan, the Pittsburgh-Washington series has had long stretches where (dare I say it?) it has not been very exciting to watch. Dump, chase, change, clear, dump, chase, change, clear, and wait for someone to turn the puck over and allow an odd-man rush. All very uninspiring, and yet it is difficult to argue against strategically because neither team has a reliable way of imposing its will on the other without leaving itself vulnerable at the other end.
Owen Johnson

The difference is we stop hearing this narrative of “Ovi can’t get past the 2nd round.”
And contracts run out NEXT hear. Regardless of how well or badly they do in the Playoffs this year and next, they’ll have to retool after next year anyway. Might as well keep this really good team another year.
capsyoungguns

Take of your yellow tinted glasses and look at the underlying numbers instead.
Hockey Mom

Yes, always more Pens around Hotlby than Caps. That has been a major problem!
Jeremy Shawaf

If you’d like you can have some of our LA Kings juice from or series where we were down 3-0 in 2014 of our first round games vs the Sharks. https://www.nhl.com/news/comeback-kings-la-becomes-4th-team-to-erase-3-0-series-deficit-with-5-1-game-7-win-vs-sharks/c-717310
Bilal Siddiqui

yes please. Lots
Jeremy Shawaf

Yeah, he was a beast for us (Los Angeles Kings) in 2012 and 2014 Playoffs O_O
Phil

Phil Kessel had a good game tonight huh?