Thursday, April 17, 2008

So Close

We're not talking about this game. It was a much better effort by the Caps and there were a couple of places where the game could have gone in either direction - but it's over. Done. All eyes have to face forward, because what lies ahead is bigger than what we leave behind in Philly tonight.

Caps fans, take heart.

18 times in NHL history a team has rallied after being down 3-1 in a series to win that series. It's not a huge number considering the NHL has had countless series in it's 100+ year history, but it's happened five times since 2000, four of which came in the quarterfinals. The most recent was the Montreal Canadiens, who rallied to beat the Bruins back in 2004. The Caps actually hold the dubious distinction of blowing 3-1 series leads three times, more than any other team.

They've only come back from a 3-1 deficit once.

Twenty years ago.

Against the Philadelphia Flyers.



...will history repeat itself? Who will be the Dale Hunter? Who will be the hero? It starts Saturday - wear your red, bring your voices, keep your spirits high.

4 comments:

Kevin said...

18 times, huh? Seems an awfully big number compared to a big fat zero.

That zero, of course, being the previous number of teams that had managed to make the playoffs after being last in the conference halfway through the season.

Just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

I was there for Hunter's goal. And in that game, they trailed 3-0 in the second period. I believe.

"Over? Nothing is over until WE decide it is!" http://youtube.com/watch?v=rtP3whUbgZE

Anonymous said...

It seems you are holding on for dear life. I would suggest hanging up the blades for this post season and enjoy some safe golf.

The series is over, the Caps shot their load down the Stretch just trying to make the playoffs.

CapsChick said...

Biff: Excellent, excellent point. What's that saying, nothing is certain in life but death and taxes? Well, no one's in danger of dying here...and tax season is over. ;)

Mark: I think you're right. And I believe too.

Anon: Are we holding on for dear life? Maybe. They could lose tomorrow. They could lose in Game 6. They could lose in Game 7.

Or they could come back and pull out another miracle.

The Caps have played better hockey the last two games than they did the first two and a three-game winning streak isn't completely out of the realm of possibility. There's a reason they don't just call the series when one team wins 3 games, you know - it ain't over 'til it's over, whenever that may be.