Are the Caps this years biggest frauds?

[Praetorian Caps]

To quote Mike Shanahan "your are what your record says you are" and The Capitals record says they have most wins in the Eastern Conference. If you don't like it take up with maths.

 

[Herregud]

No, they can run 4 lines with their insane depth, also have a fantastic D unit, along with a stellar goalie.

2nd in goals, and goals against. thats elite.


Ovechkin is a true superstar. what are you saying.

25 goals in 37 games (with a three game goal streak) doesn't count because empty netters or something.

That said, I don't really disagree with the poster you're quoting. The Caps don't really have *that* guy right now (I think they have a few people that are close in mentality but lack the production), but most teams in the league don't. What they do have is probably the most cohesive locker room in the NHL and that matters a ton. They just don't quit on each other.

Also, on topic... no, the Caps are not frauds any more than anyone else is before the playoffs start. OP going on about how unimpressive they are when their team has a 4 goals to 10 and 0 games to 2 season deficit is a little weird.

 

[Dowisetrepla]

Certainly not frauds. Favorites? Maybe not but top 5 team at the moment

 

[Matty Sundin]

Yes and no. The last few seasons, the league is still feeling the effects of diluted talent due to expansion and years of flat cap. There isn’t really any “super” teams or a team that are eye opening good. The caps are good for what the current level teams are. In other years, they are probably a very average playoff team, which is what they were for years after they won the cup.

 

[max21]

Not remotely jealous of the Capitals of all franchises.

Ya man I totally believe you

 

[GMR]

Ya man I totally believe you

Seriously? Outside of a “Flowers for Algernon” run in 2018, when have the Capitals ever done anything?

 

[qc14]

They are "frauds" in the sense that yes they have gotten lucky/unsustainable goaltending to be fighting for the President's trophy. The same could be said though about the Rangers last year, or Boston two years before, or Florida 3 years before them, or Vegas in the playoffs two years ago. To have a really good record you kind of have to be a "fraud" in the NHL. There's just too much parity and luck involved. A good team has to have some sort of unsustainable run to take them into the "great" category.

They aren't frauds though in that they have a legitimately good underlying profile -- from goal difference to xG share to goaltending talent to the eye test. They deserve to be clear of the wildcard muck in the east and in the fight for the division lead with Carolina and NJD. This is no Roy-era Colorado where there was literally nothing good about the team besides Varlamov.

Is it sustainable next year and going forward? A lot of guys are having career years, and Ovi and Carlson can't hold on forever so probably not. We can deal with next year next year though.