WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Washington Capitals.  When they hired Barry Trotz last year, I said the team would improve, but probably not win the cup.  If they did, great, but I was doubtful.  Barry Trotz has done exactly as I said he would. He filled in holes and tweaked the team.  It didn't need much.  ust an expeirnced hand.  Boudreau was brought up from the minors and had no real NHL experience.  He has since gone on and coached some gifted teams, but has never really done anything to establish himself as a coach that can get a team going.  With Trotz at the helm...This year...Washington Capitals WILL win the Stanley cup.

If there is a record for "We Suck", the Washington Capittals own it.  Least points, least wins...They were having so many goals scored against them in the 70's they experimented with "White Pants".  No Kidding.  The logic was, the puck was black, so were the pants and the goalie was losing sight of the puck because it was the same color.  The following year they went back to the white pants.  Most losses, most road losses, highest goals against.  There's more but its simply too painful.  The missed the playoffs by one point several seasons before finally making the playoffs in the 82-83 season. 

A solid team in the 80's they were always a dollar short.  Phillie kicked their ass one year.  But they did manage a 100 pt season.  heck they could (if my math is correct) eclipse 120 pts this year.

With their share of past superstars, Rod Langway, Peter Bondra, Olaf Kolzig.  And how about the invisible man...Jagr.  he signed for a 7 yr 77million and disappeared.  Now he's in his forty's and putting up unbelievable stats for Florida.  The Washington Capitals have never won the Stanley Cup.  The got swept by Detroit in 97-98 IIRC.  Which will never happen again thanks to new NHL divisions and grouping.  Both Detroit and Washington are now in the same Conference. 

Now with Alex Ovechkin and the talented Braden Holby in net...the Washington Capitals have matured under Trotz.  Holby as a rookie goaltender tied a record set by Ken Dryden,  And he's young.  Alex Ovechkin is the most prolific player in the NHL to NEVER have won the Stanley Cup.  He's now in his 30's.  He's on a mission.  As of today the Washington Capitals could eclipse 120 pts for the season.

The most ironic thing about the Capitals is that by name and location, this team represents the Capitol of the United States of America and yet sports close ten Canadian players with only 6 Americans on the team.

Dallas is playing hot...so is L.A. out west.  It looks like Montreal and the Rangers will be Washingtons immediate ooponents barring injury.

I been a Washington fan since 88.  This year is FINALLY our year.

GO CAPS GO!!!