This is a team capable of shutting out the ‘Canes, humiliating the Leafs, vanquishing the best team in hockey on its home ice. But it is also a team capable of looking mismatched against the Isles.

It is a bit of a cliche, but in sports certain teams, by virtue of their maddening inconsistency, are designated as playing up or down to the level of the competition they face. This Caps’ squad is on cue auditioning for such a status.

(What kind of consistency would I seek? That of Metro’s disruptions, delays and dysfunctions.)

My hope entering this season was that a whole lot of losing in recent seasons had bred a bile and contempt for it among a core of Caps. That mid-February Tuesday night matchup with the Panthers would be met with Old Time Orneriness. Maybe it still will. Coach Hanlon I think makes a fair point in noting the need to mesh not only his free agent newcomers with his core but four or five AHL graduates as well. But the hour of meshing is upon us.

So this member of the jury is still deliberating. I may have a verdict come late Saturday night.

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Posted at 9:57 am. Filed under Miracle on Ice, Morning cup-a-joe, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals.
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(Really) Dewey Beats Truman: Caps 4, Ottawa 1
4th in the Division

3 Comments

  1. maruk wrote:

    I think the verdict should be rendered a little later. The next 5 games are all in the Southeast. By the time I’m munching on deep fried turkey leg, we’ll have a very good idea where this team is headed, if anywhere.

    Friday, November 9, 2007 at 12:25 pm | Permalink
  2. pepper wrote:

    I’m still in disbelief at the complete and dominant effort last night. More impressive even then that of the home opener.

    I agree with the view that it was more an indictment of, rather than a testament to, Hanlon’s ability to motivate this bunch, to see them put forth such a solid performance last night but not keep the game competitive beyond even half a period three nights ago, and so on.

    However, clearly this team played for its coach last night, giving him, as you say, a few more weeks’ job security. Vogs has alluded many times to the fact that the players generally like Hanlon and don’t want him replaced. So they went out and did something about it tonight.

    It was inspiring to see how comfortable everyone played with a lead, and no momentum was lost following the Sens’ lone goal.

    Saturday’s performance, however, will tell whether the corner to be turned is even in sight. TB shouldn’t be quite as desperate following a beat down of the Canes on the road. But let’s hope our team remains just as hungry as they were last night.

    A loss tomorrow will erase any good feelings from this win (however vaunted was the opponent), and make the four day layoff a very uncomfortable one.

    Friday, November 9, 2007 at 1:30 pm | Permalink
  3. JR wrote:

    Great win for the Caps. However, it was pretty clear the the Senators, off to the best start in NHL history, were overlooking the Caps and it bit them.

    Now it’s time to start winning consistently, but with a 37-year old Olie, a shaky D, I don’t see it happening.

    Friday, November 9, 2007 at 1:47 pm | Permalink

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