When you get knocked out of the playoffs in a year like this has been, it's understandable that the local papers will pay homage to the magical journey that it was, and rightly so.
But when both the NHL's official website and ESPN come out with articles about how much the Caps achieved, how bright the future is, and how amazing they've been...you know you've got something good on your hands.
From NHL.com:Yes sir, what Bruce Boudreau, Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the Capitals gave the hockey world this season was indeed memorable. And this could just be the very beginning. Ovechkin – who scored 65 goals during the regular season – will turn 23 during Washington’s next training camp. Mike Green showed signs that he will be a premier defenseman in this League for years to come. Alexander Semin proved he can pick up the slack when Ovechkin is struggling during those 12 seconds per year.
From Scott Burnside at ESPN.com:This isn't a team that is rebuilding, but rather building. To what? Who knows? But there is something mindful of the Pittsburgh Penguins and how they have quickly learned what it takes to win in the playoffs. Perhaps, more importantly, the fans in this oft-maligned NHL market seem to have understood what was happening here, too.
Just one difference, Scott...when the Pens returned to the postseason after years of rebuilding? They only won once.
Just something to chew on.
Chin up, Caps fans. The 2008-09 season is just around the corner!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Winners Even In Defeat
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6 comments:
yes, but the pens played a higher team in the standings. Who were a red hot Senators team. There is a difference.
Not really. Last year the Sens were a 4th place team, the Pens a 5th place team; they had the same number of points, though, I'd hardly consider that a higher team in the standings.
As for a "red hot" Senators team? The Pens were 14-4-2 in their last 20, the Sens were 12-3-5 in their last 20. Technically the Pens finished hotter.
...there is very little difference to me. Just the outcome of that first series.
So your saying that the Flyers team this year is just as good as last years sens team?
The argument could be made, sure - I believe the Sens were pretty overrated last year for one thing, (and I say that as someone who likes the Sens), and the Flyers were better than a 6th seed this year. Ottawa also drew pretty easy opponents in the playoffs in the sense that none of the other teams played their game, including the Penguins...until they got to the Ducks, of course.
The Caps learned how to play playoff hockey faster and better than the Pens did their first time out, that's all I'm saying. What that means for them next year is anyone's guess - just like it's anyone's guess how far the Pens will go this year after what amounted to the easiest first round draw they'll ever get.
What about the Sabres?
What about the Sabres? They were a great team in the regular season last year, sure. But they looked like a completely different team once they got to the playoffs - ask any Buffalo fan.
The Isles were in that first round series more than they should have been; same for the Rangers in the second round. Buffalo didn't look dominant at any time and won only because in the end a weak Sabres team was still better than the Isles and Rags on a good day, at least back then.
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