CapsLove Hits ESPN

Wow - getting some love from Scott Burnside today and apparently all season, as the Caps have been picked as this season's surprise story. We start with Part 1, Training Camp, where Burnside looks at the new optimism that has permeated this team. There's nothing all that new there, at least not if you read the papers or many, many blogs that have said the same, but for people outside the DC area this may be an eye-opener.

The best part, though, is probably the little piece on Clark inserted into a box next to the column itself:

If there is one player who symbolizes the Capitals' emerging identity as a team on a mission, it's captain Chris Clark.

There is a tendency to suggest Clark is the NHL's quietest 30-goal scorer. But that wouldn't take into account the opponents he's sent back to the bench rubbing their jaws or shoulders, muttering, "Oh, so that's Chris Clark." Or the netminders who have fished pucks out of their nets likewise muttering the same [...]

Read the whole thing - it'll make you fall in love with Clark all over again.

I'm certainly looking forward to reading the rest of the series as the season goes on...nice to get a little spotlight on our boys from someone, even if it is ESPN.