My Outtakes on the Capitals Second-Round Loss

"I think this group feels until we win a Stanley Cup, it won't be a successful season," said Capitals coach Barry Trotz after his team's 6-game loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

“The wound obviously is very fresh and we’ve seen this far too often, so pardon me if I sound crushed,” added Joe Beninati, the play-by-play man for CSN Washington. “I am. I am crushed because I believed there were a couple of instances in the third period where the Capitals defied death — they did — and once you get into overtime, it’s anybody’s game. It’s a roll of the dice, but the longer the overtime goes between these teams, especially on a night when you lose Karl Alzner, the longer it goes it favors the team that’s faster. And the team that was faster from the outset in this game was Pittsburgh. They were taking away the boards magically in the first period. The Capitals couldn’t get out of their own zone. It seemed like time after time after time, somebody in black and gold was in their way. But, the way Washington rallied is a sign that this is a different team. Please do not say the word ‘collapse’ to me. Do not say the word ‘choke’ to me. This is not one of those. This is a very good Pittsburgh team that’s moving on to a conference final.”

"It's a failure," Justin Williams said, upset, "The only thing I've processed is that it sucks."

Nicklas Backstrom was adamant. "It's getting old... [on the fans] I love them. They are the best fans. ...I promise we're going to do it."

Matt Niskanen teared up during his interview. "This is the most hurt I've been in my career. … This sucks. I can't believe we're talking about this right now."

But the question remained. Did the Capitals really deserve to lose? They dominated in Games 3 and 4, and they only lost the entire series by one goal. Not only that, but their overtime losses were those that could have been avoided.

And in Game 6, the resilience shown by these Capitals, coming back from 3-0 to 3-3 in the third period is a positive sign.

There were many factors as to why the Capitals lost, and some of those were beyond their control.

But, first of all, just a few points for Penguins fans who are all happy:

Look how the Penguins are right at the top. The referees clearly let a lot of Penguin penalties go. I will discuss these penalties here:

1. Kris Letang's one-game suspension. Brooks Orpik had the same exact same hit as Letang did, and he got three games. When Letang did it, after the protesting of Capitals fans and some more, the NHL agreed to give him a one-game suspension. ORPIK RECEIVED THREE GAMES FOR THE SAME EXACT HIT. They weren't even trying to hide their bias towards the Penguins. 

2. Evgeni Malkin's no-game suspension. Malkin headshotted Daniel Winnik. Seriously.

3. Kris letang's headshot on TJ Oshie.

4. The Capitals disallowed goal and Evgeny Kuznetsov's penalty. Why? I get the disallowed goal part, but why the penalty? It wasn't intentional.

5. Crosby holding Backstrom's stick. He got no penalty.

AND MANY, MANY MORE!!! Also, just for the record, THE REFS LET THE PENGUINS GET AWAY WITH 99% OF THEIR PENALTIES.

So, in conclusion, Penguins fans who are happy, admit your team was handed the series win by the Penguins loving refs.

SHOUTOUTS TO AWESOME CAPITALS PLAYERS WHO DESERVE IT

John Carlson!!!!!

Carlson is the first defenseman in franchise history to record twelve points in the first twelve games of the postseason. Well done!!!!

This guy, along with TJ Oshie, were the best in the series. If anyone deserved to go in a Conference Final, it was those too. Shoutout to Jay Beagle and TJ Oshie. 

TJ Oshie!!!!!

He scored all the Caps game-winning goals in the Penguins series. Also, his hat trick in the first game was epic. YAY TJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay Beagle!!!!

THAT SAVE THOUGH. Also, he's a unicorn in disguise. (Reference to Game 1). 

PENBC

IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT MIKE MILBURY, DOC EMRICK, AND PIERRE MCGUIRE LOVE THE PENS. IT IS ALSO QUITE CLEAR THAT THEY ARE PENS FANS. Whenever the Penguins did a cheap shot they praised the player and justified it, but when Orpik did it he was a "predator." Also, when Orpik was on the Penguins, he was apparently the best player ever but now he is bad. In the eyes of PENBC at least. Well, honestly, I'd rather listen to the Penguins radio. At least they are more objective. Also, PENBC kept saying how the Penguins deserve to win and how the Capitals are really bad. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OBJECTIVE, PEOPLE.

Also, Injuries!
There was a number of injuries unknown to people that the Capitals players played through.

1. Alex Ovechkin - lower back injury

2. Karl Alzner - groin injury. He felt it "pop" during game 6. Also, a broken thumb, strained oblique, and pulled hip flexor.

3. Brooks Orpik - cracked femur, concussion, and neck injury

4. John Carlson - broken foot and ankle

5. Marcus Johansson - undisclosed, but he will miss Worlds because of it

The Question of the Day: Why did they lose so badly???

1. Brooks Orpik's poor decisions.

2. Bad defense.

3. Matt Murray.

4. Over-Reliance on the powerplay. 

THE REFEREES LOVE THE PENS!!!!!!!!!!

What do you think happened? Did the Caps deserve to win the series? I say take it to 7 games at least. But, for now, go Lightning!!

P.S. I feel like I didn't get all the missed calls by the refs. please add the ones you saw in the comment boxes. See chart above for proof the league loves the Pens the best. "Golden team"

Evgeny Kuznetsov is a Centre of Attention

          This is it, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we have been waiting for since Kuzya arrived from Chelyabinsk.
          Kuznetsov is now fitting perfectly into his role on the Capitals first line, playing effectively alongside Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie. Fans have nicknamed their line TKO, or the Knockout, because of their effectiveness. Kuznetsov is now second in the NHL in points.



         Not just that, but Kuznetsov scored the first hat trick of his young career on Friday night against the Edmonton Oilers.

Capitals-Oilers Recap: WHAT HAPPENED THERE?!?!

I have one question: WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!
How did the Edmonton Oilers beat the Washington Capitals?

Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring for the Capitals in the first period, scoring his 26th and 27th goals of the season, and his second goal was from the Ovi Spot. Oiler Derek Roy scored soon after to make it 2-1 Capitals by beating Matt Niskanen to the net and firing his shot past Holtby. Jay Beagle returned that with a goal right before the intermission, ending the first period 3-1 Capitals. 

No scoring in the second, except Nikita Nikitin made it 3-2 late in the period.

In the third period, Nicklas Backstrom took a wonderful pass from John Carlson to make the Oilers' one-goal deficit a two-goal deficit, but Edmonton would not give up. Teddy Purcell made it 4-3 in the final five minutes, then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied it in the final 100 second.

A long, uneventful overtime period occurred, with no scoring, then came the shootout:

• Kuznetsov scored.
• Yakupov did NOT score.
• Backstrom did NOT score.
• Eberle did NOT score.
• Ovechkin did NOT score.
• Roy scored.
• Fehr did NOT score.
• Purcell scored.

Ugh! So Capitals lost 5-4 to Edmonton in shootout. No comment.

Capitals Beat Devils 4-0, Ovechkin Scores One of the Best Goals of his Career

The Capitals beat the Devils 4-0, earning Holtby his 13th career shutout.
And Ovechkin had one of the most incredible goals I've ever seen... we should call it his The Goal II!

Even this GIF does not capture the amazing goal in a respectable way...

Anyway, the first goal of  the game was scored by Mike Green, and assisted by Jack Hillen and Nicklas Backstrom, the second was by Backstrom, assisted by Jay Beagle and John Carlson. and the third was scored by the Russian machine (Alexander the GR8), and the fourth by Backstrom and assisted by Beagle and Carlson.

Let's go, Caps!