On Frozen Blog

This may seem an empty platitude, but it resonates more and more as a season progresses: Teams need to learn how to win the close games. There aren’t going to be many 5-1 or 6-2 blowouts in the playoffs; teams that makes it into the second season have all the motivation they need to play with fire and determination.
So it’s encouraging that the past 4 Capitals games have been one-goal decisions, and the Caps are 2-1-1 in that stretch–true, that’s hardly unquestioned dominance, but the Caps displayed an encouraging never-say-die attitude in all four games, particularly against Pittsburgh. And I would argue that, given the momentum at the end of regulation, Sunday’s Caps-Pens tilt would have gone to the Caps if it were decided in the post-season rather than with a shootout.
Regardless of that last hypothetical, the Caps’ slump is no more. After the past few games, and in light of the possible return of Brian Pothier, the team’s inaction at the trade deadline does not seem so worrisome.
On deadline day I’d liked to have seen a few resources added to the fold. Anaheim’s proposed return for Pronger was clearly ridiculous and Lindros-esque, but I was hoping a smaller move might bring in a key role-player. Then again, last year’s exciting new blood helped the Caps to the playoffs but to no farther than the first round, and only Sergei Fedorov remains from that spending spree.
Since 1982, the Capitals have been silent for only 7 trade deadlines. The most recent time the Caps stood pat was in 2000: a year when they won the Southeast Division but lost in the first round to Pittsburgh. Yes, I know, that’s an unsettling nugget of history… yes, I gagged a little bit when I unearthed that tidbit. But as long-time fans know, the Caps’ frustration against the Penguins had little to do with trade deadline acquisitions or lack thereof; it was just the way things were regardless of the teams’ rosters, and not just in the post-season.
Now, things have changed. Washington split the season series with Philly, and went 3-0-1 against Pittsburgh. Seriously, who would have picked the Caps to win a game in Philly in years’ past? Pennsylvania teams have generally owned the Caps… but not this year. Not this team.
Lest we get ahead of ourselves, I admit I’m not predicting a Stanley Cup this year for the Caps. It is certainly possible, of course; but the team is at the beginning of what looks to be a long window of championship opportunity, so don’t panic if it doesn’t happen right away. Mind you, I will happily eat those words if the Cup comes to DC in June.
The point is: for the first time in a long time, and despite (or perhaps because of) the Caps’ unchanged roster at the deadline, the Penguins and Flyers should be more worried about facing the Capitals than the other way around. Washington’s game-breaking talent, never-give-up attitude, and ability to win tight games should have opponents pretty concerned… not to mention the Caps’ home becoming a very intimidating atmosphere for opponents.
This year, if/when the Caps face a PA team in the playoffs, they will do so with more confidence than ever before.
Yea, though they (will likely) walk through the valley of the shadow of Lehigh, they need fear no evil.