» Capitals Playoff Watch

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

The Capitals are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference with 76 points. Standing in their way for the 8th and final wild card is Philadelphia (79 points) and Buffalo (77 points). So the Caps would need a little help to sneak in.

But the Capitals are also five points behind Carolina in the Southeast Division. Washington has two games remaining against the Hurricanes, so if the Caps were to win both those games in regulation, they would make up four points. And since the Capitals have ten games left (as opposed to Carolina's nine), the Capitals have the opportunity to gain an additional two points. So despite our spot in the standings, we do control our own destiny.

It's the home stretch - Go Caps Go!

edit - proofreading

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

Saturday, March 15

Standings going in:

Sir_Monk · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject:

The game tomorrow vs Boston is critical, but I think it is just to much ground to make up after last weekends two heart breakers.

If we make the playoffs or not, I am still very pleased the Caps are playing meaningful hockey this late in the season and with a better start next year, I think we have a team that is ready to compete for the Eastern Conference.

I hope we can resign Huet and Cooke for next year.

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

I agree it's an uphill battle, and I also agree that regardless of how this all turns out, it's been a fun season.

But we do still control our own destiny. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of the Redskins position this season.

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

Sunday, March 16

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Bruins 3 Flyers 2 OT
Sabres 6 Maple Leafs 2

Standings going in:

Bob 0119 · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:46 am Post subject:

It only get's tougher from here. After a nerve racking shoot-out victory over Boston, we are on the road for the next 5 games.

Huet played great, but he also had some good D in front of the net to help clear up his re-bounds.

I got no regrets on this season. They have been fun to watch, but I don't think we are a cup contender...yet. Maybe if we had some of our injured guys back at 100% (Clark, Nylander, Steckel) but as is, I'm proud of them for doing as well as they have done so far, and anything else (post-seasonwise) is just gravy!

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

That was a tough win over Boston - the Capitals haven't had the best luck on shootouts, so it was nice to see one go the other way. I hate the 3-point games though. No help from Ottawa, which was disappointing.

Monday, March 17 / Tuesday, March 18

Sunday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 2 Bruins 1 (SO)
Hurricanes 5, Senators 1
Penguins 7 Flyers 1
Panthers 3 Thrashers 1

Standings going in:

Sir_Monk · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

Hopefully the Trash show up against Philly and don't mail it in like they did against us last week.

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

It was a nerve-wracking win, but a win nonetheless. No help from Atlanta, but they'll get a chance to make up for it against Carolina.

Wednesday, March 19

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 4 Predators 2
Flyers 3 Thrashers 2

Standings going in:

GSPODS · Hog Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 4983

Alexander Ovechkin scored once and assisted on two others in Washington's 4-2 doubling of Nashville on Tuesday night.

Alexander the Great has certainly lived up to his nickname this season and throughout his short and brilliant career, as he has already become the first player in franchise history to record 100 points twice in a Caps' uniform. His empty-net marker was his league-leading 58th goal of the season and he now sits atop the NHL scoring race with a fantastic 102 points this season. In fact, Ovechkin has now amassed a ridiculous 300 points in just 237 career games, over the course of the past three seasons.

www.rotoworld.com

Sir_Monk · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:50 am Post subject:

It seemed like the Caps were outplayed for much of the 2nd and 3rd period, glad we got out of there with two points!

Steve Spurrier III · ---------- Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2167

I agree, we were lucky. Watching the end of that third period was brutal - it felt like one of those Redskin games where we get up 10 or 17 early only to watch the lead evaporate.

How sweet was Ovechkin's bank shot to seal the deal?

GSPODS · Hog Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 4983

Bob 0119 · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

I relaxed after the first period. Started cussing late in the second when it seemed like the Caps were trying to let Nashville back into it, and was on the edge of my seat for the last 6 1/2 minutes of the game.

I don't usually cheer for the empty-netters, but I jumped up from the couch on that one.

I know we've had some great players in the past, and I'm not taking anything away from those guys, but it's about time we finally had a genuine home-grown hero such as Ovechkin, who is arguably the greatest player in the league right now.

Huet put together another dazzling net-minding display. Every rebound he didn't gobble up himself, his defenders were right there to sweep away from him.

The biggest downside to yesterday's game was penalties. Stupid penalties. The officiating was crap admittedly, but we need to be more careful with the stick in these close games and try to avoid these high stick, and hooking minors. We also need cooler heads to avoid roughing minors...even when the other team starts it.

All in all, it was a great game for us, and a great win for the Caps!

JansenFan · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:23 am Post subject:

We are three points behind Carolina and two behind the Flyers. If we win out (which would include two victories and a four point swing over Carolina) we are he four seed and in the playoffs where anything can happen. I just hope to avoid the Pens in the first round. They have been responsible for WAY too many early exits from the post-season in recent trips.