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"

Brooks Laich is now a Toronto Maple Leaf

In another heartbreaking, wretched NHL trade, Brooks Laich, Washington D.C.'s longest-tenured athlete, is no longer a Capital. He is a Leaf, after being a faithful, amazing Capital for 12 years, ever since I was only three years old. Boo.

The Capitals traded away Laich, Connor Carrick, and a second-round pick for Daniel Winnik and a fifth-round pick. In my opinion, the Capitals are trading away their future, as they now do not have any first- or second-round picks for the next draft. On top of that, the Leafs are winning more in this trade because they get better players. 

“Daniel is a versatile player who plays with grit and can be used in all situations,” general manager Brian MacLellan said. “This move enables us to add some depth to our forward group and balances our lineup. We would like to thank Brooks for all of his contributions to our organization over the past 10 years. Brooks is a true professional and we wish him all the best in the future.”

The only problem with Laich is that after health complications (injury to the groin) in 2011, he never was the player he had been before and became a fourth-line centre on the Capitals, never again living up to his $4.5 million cap hit. Winnik is much cheaper and by acquiring him and getting rid of Laich's contract, the Capitals have gained $2.2 million in cap space. Still, the trade is heartbreaking, for a multitude of reasons.

The Wawota, Saskatchewan native was a fan favourite in Washington for many reasons. Right after the Capitals' devastating first-round playoff exit in the 2010 playoffs to the Montreal Canadiens, two female Capitals fans were stranded on the side of the road with a messed-up tire. Although the team had just lost and it was clear Laich was going through a tough time, he stopped by the side of the road to fix the tire for them, immediately making their days. 

Not only that, but his shenanigans with Michael Latta and Tom Wilson about an Instagram follow were hilarious, with Wilson and Latta leaving comments on his Instagram posts begging for a follow multiple times. Laich had a drone from his fiancee Julianne Hough, and he used it for another hobby of his, film-making, where he filmed several scenes when he had time and used time-lapse on them. I thought it was pretty amazing. He was going to get married to Julianne this August, but I guess, sadly, us Caps fans will not see it.

He even made this hilarious video telling fans five things every man should know how to do:

On his last days in Washington, Laich and Hough, along with TJ Oshie and his wife Lauren, went to a Carrie Underwood concert all together. Laich, my man. This is even worse than losing Eric Fehr and Joel Ward in the offseason. Brooksie, you will be missed. If the Capitals get their Stanley Cup win this year, it will be bittersweet, as D.C.'s longest-tenured athlete and most faithful player, who has been with the Capitals starting from the 2004 rebuild and is the last remaining piece of Peter Bondra, is now gone. Good luck with your new team, Brooksie, and we hope to have you back in a Capitals uniform soon.

The Greatest Russian NHL Goal Scorer is no Longer Sergei Fedorov

Alex Ovechkin is now the greatest Russian goal-scorer the NHL has ever seen! On a crazy sick goal assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie, Ovechkin made it to 484 goals to break Sergei Fedorov's previous record of 483. Naturally, Fedorov, who was like a father to Ovechkin in his young playing days, wasn't upset. As a matter of fact, he was happy for his close friend. "It's awesome," Fedorov told NHL.com last week. "Records are made to be broken, so to me he's always been the goal-scorer and when he got close, I'm like, 'Of course it's him.'" When he heard that the record had finally been broken, he had more to say, "I would like to congratulate Alex on this achievement. What he has accomplished thus far in his career has been nothing short of remarkable."

What is very ironic is that Ovechkin had gotten two goals to break 483 before that, but they were waved off on coach's challenges. This time, Ovi broke the record against the Stars, and the last time the Caps beat the Stars was in 2008, when Sergei Fedorov set his record. Amazing, eh?

Also, the assist master named Backstrom is the one who helped both superstars achieve their milestones, to add to the irony.

Lastly, but not least, Ovi's remarkable goal scoring ability was finally proven, when he achieved the Russian record in 471 games less than Fedorov did. Ladies and gentlemen, you are seeing one of the greatest goal scorers the game of hockey had ever seen right in front of your eyes.

I hope you enjoyed reading! Let me know in the comments box what you think. Congratulations to Ovi on this milestone in his career, and thanks! спасибо!

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.

Washington Capitals Offseason Recap

12 days until the Capitals' preseason starts, 31 days until their opener against the New Jersey Devils. Can't wait, eh? Well, there is much to be optimistic about this season. From the acquisition of T.J. Oshie to the signing of Justin Williams, be prepared for an exciting year. I expect the Capitals to at least reach the Final this year, if not hoist the Cup.

The Caps made several huge offseason moves:
Their earliest was signing advanced stats deity Justin Williams, who last played for the LA Kings. Williams, known as Mr. Game 7, is a huge playoff performer, and scored one of the goals in Game 5 of the Cup Final 2014, where the Kings won the Cup.
However, they lost Joel Ward, who signed with the San Jose Sharks and was also a clutch playoff performer.
The Capitals also aquired T.J. Oshie from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Winter Classic game-winning-goal scorer Troy Brouwer, as well as AHL-caliber goalie Pheonix Copley and a 2016 draft pick. T.J. Oshie is best known for his performance in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he singlehandedly helped Team USA beat the Russians in a seven-round shootout.
The Capitals also re-signed playoff performer Evgeny Kuznetsov. Expect a lot from him his sophomore year; his playoff numbers were no joke. Kuznetsov should combine with fellow sophomore Andre Burakovsky for at least 60 goals.
Bottom-sixer Jay Beagle was also re-signed; he should help the Capitals acheive their goal.
Marcus Johansson, who should assume the role of third-line centre, was also re-signed; he hit career highs in goals, assists, and points last season. He might be able to do it again.
Last, but not least, Braden  Holtby, one of the elite NHL goalies, was resigned. If Holtby puts up the numbers he did in 2014-15, expect him to be a Vezina finalist, if not the winner.

The Capitals should go deep into the playoffs this year. I nominate them to represent the east in the Final. Are you optimistic heading into this season? You should be. Let me know in the comment box.