Are the Caps this years biggest frauds?

[Lainestache]

I've been eating so much crow since the beginning of the season when I said here that I don't see any way for caps to make the playoffs so.. I'd rather not say that they're frauds, I'd choke on that damn crow.

Been an absolute beauty and surprise and I just want them to make some noise now. Like a lot.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

This team is legit. I could see them pulling off a major upset against someone like NJ in the playoffs.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

“Fraud” is definitely a strong word. But the stars and the universe anre aligning for them this year. Literally everything is going right. Would anyone be surprised if they miss the playoffs next year with the same roster? I certainly wouldn’t.

Good thing is next year’s team is projected to have an even better roster. Caps have 3 of the best prospects in the world: Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson and Andrew Cristall.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Having watch them some and idk how they have 77 points.

How are they doing it?

I see they have 7 OT losses which has given them a but of an artificial lead over some of rest of the leaders in the east,

I see teams in the east getting past them easily.

Carolina, Florida, Toronto, maybe NJ.

Honestly, Rangers fans made fun of the Islanders last year for having a lot of OT losses. But what's the alternative an abnormally high OT record? That's a fluke. Every year the Rangers suck in OT, the one year they're unbeatable in OT, they win the Presidents' Trophy last year. That was the biggest difference in the last 3 seasons, OT record. So if the Caps won those OT games it would be an even bigger fluke than losing them.

 

[NYRfan85]

This season, the Caps are legit, I wouldn't call them a fraud. Last season, absolutely they were a fraud that had no business making the playoffs lol.

 

[Zarzh]

Probably the Jets.

 

[gtrower]

“Fraud” is definitely a strong word. But the stars and the universe anre aligning for them this year. Literally everything is going right. Would anyone be surprised if they miss the playoffs next year with the same roster? I certainly wouldn’t.

This is a weird take for me. All indications are that they’ll have a better roster next year. They’re pretty young, balanced, and have some high level prospects waiting in the wings.

 

[benfranklin]

Yes I will eat all the crow if they do damage in the playoffs.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

This team is legit. I could see them pulling off a major upset against someone like NJ in the playoffs.

Why would that be an upset? They have a better record against NJ and other than two seasons ago NJ hasn't been to the playoffs. They would be favored.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

I see they have 7 OT losses which has given them a but of an artificial lead over some of rest of the leaders in the east

Regardless of what you think of the caps, this is a terrible take. A game that ends tied at the conclusion of 5 on 5 play has historically been worth one point to each team. Did people consider ties “loser points” in the 80’s and 90’s?

If you want to find “artificially inflated” records, look for teams who are racking up extra standings points because they win almost all of their shootouts and 3 v 3 contests. They’re getting those extra points for being good at a form of hockey that doesn’t exist the playoffs.

 

[eojsmada]

Any team, past the 1st round, lives and dies on injuries and goaltending. Only one of those two is predictable and Washington has a top 5 goalie in the league, which means they have a legit chance. In the past, with folks like Samsonov, Copley, and Kuemper, you could very easily say they were frauds.

 

[Coldnwindy]

Thanks for accumulating all the jinx energy in this thread, the team will win the cup now.

 

[max21]

It's the Capitals.

They're probably getting swept in the 1st round.

At least we make the playoffs, still salty about last year it’s ok buddy

 

[Casey Jones]

Definitely a fluke. If they weren't able to buy Capfriendly , they would be in last place.

 

[nerevarine]

Yes

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Carbery's system is highly effective and teams haven't found a way yet on how to defend against them.

Must be nice

 

[BallardEra]

I see they have 7 OT losses which has given them a but of an artificial lead over some of rest of the leaders in the east,

How many regulationn losses do they have?

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

They were last year. But no they've been solid top to bottom, management to coaching to players. Everything their gm has touched has turned to gold. I hope Dubas is taking notes.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

This team is legit. I could see them pulling off a major upset against someone like NJ in the playoffs.

In what world would that be an upset lmao

 

[Golden_Jet]

To answer OP, no their not.

 

[Nocashstyle]

This is a weird take for me. All indications are that they’ll have a better roster next year. They’re pretty young, balanced, and have some high level prospects waiting in the wings.

You’re a Caps fan, so I wouldn’t expect you to agree.

Good thing is next year’s team is projected to have an even better roster. Caps have 3 of the best prospects in the world: Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson and Andrew Cristall.

Everyone’s team has some of the best prospects in the world until they play an NHL game.

 

[Random schmoe]

And undercommented aspect of their success this season has been that they've been abnormally healthy, crossing my fingers against jinx here.

The only players who've missed more than a game or two due to injury were Ovie (16 games), Chychrun (5) and Roy (10).

But as others have said... They have very deep scoring, a goalie playing phenomenally, and a real solid D corps.

Do I think they're the best team in the league, as points percentage would indicate? No, I don't. But I confidently think they've been in the top 5 so far this season by any measure.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

They’ll get bounced in round 1 or 2

 

[TGWL]

They have 3 more OT losses than Carolina.
1 More than NJ
10 point lead over Florida with 2 less games played.
But here we are talking out the OT loser point...

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

In what world would that be an upset lmao

There's absolutely zero pressure on the Caps to win in the playoffs whereas NJ has a ton. The caps winning a playoff round is just icing on the cake to their season.