The Caps chances essentially ended when John took a slapshot to the dome but they really ended when they went 0-6-0 after the ASG. Blaming Mantha’s turnover for missing the playoffs is an odd stance.
Obviously they did not miss the playoffs during a 3 second play. However that play was the final nail in the coffin for them. Its very ironic that it was off the stick of the biggest anchor that they have on the roster. At first i hoped it was a blessing in disguise and we would never see him wear a Caps jersey again but there he is again practicing on the third line. Taking a roster spot away from a young player. Ive grown to really dislike our coach.
They had less than a 3% chance of making the playoffs before the game. They were not making it. Outside of December they’ve played at a 73-point pace. If you don’t like Mantha that’s understandable but the coffin was nailed shut before Saturday.
3% is based probably on the past performance. They started play better recently, scoring goals. Watching other teams in the race losing gave some of us hope that a big win streak will get Caps to playoffs. It's maybe 3%, but I saw Caps players really wanted to win there.
Ughh, the 3% again.
Playing better? They’re 3-5-2 in their last 10. They’re 1-3-1 in their last five and that win was against a tanking Chicago team starting a goalie who hadn’t played in the NHL due to injury since January 2022. They blew multiple three goal leads to Columbus who has the literal worst record in the NHL. Wanting to be there doesn’t mean a thing. They needed to actually play better and to win if they really wanted to be there.
100% true, but to those that wear red colored glasses it’s not over yet
NHL standings: “Bring out your dead!” *pushing cart with the corpses of Arizona, Chicago, Philadelphia, Montreal, St Louis, Columbus*
C'mon Gary, are you really gonna let another superstar toil away on the west coast playing games that start at 10PM EST, or are you gonna make sure he rides shotgun as one of the last generation's superstars chases down Gretzky? You know what has to be done Gary...
San Jose and Vancouver always struck me as Caps West. San Jose more so but Vancouver has had their fair share of heartbreak and unrealized expectations as well.
Agree with the first 2 observations. I may be alone, but I thought that Academy Awards ceremony for Ovie being the #2 all-time scorer was weird. Almost like sending a message that The Chase is all that Caps hockey will be for the foreseeable future. No gracias.
It would have been weird for them not to honor an achievement that not long ago many thought could not be reached. Why does everything have to be a hidden message? Him breaking 801 was literally the best thing that happened this season. Im so tired of reading people say they are chasing the record and not focused on winning. Can someone please for the love of god name 1 move that you can safely say was done to get Ovi closer to the record as opposed to helping team win. Just one coherent explanation with a logical example. Anyone please
Totally….and…..It’s not like he had just passed some “Shlub“ for 87th on the list…..he passed “Mr Hockey”……was more an act of respect for Howe and the moment IMO.
. But if you are i sympathise with you.
