Are my Caps playoff expectations high? Of course!

The Washington Capitals enter the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season.   Caps fans are getting use to this benefit.  But, you have to admit, it is a bit different this year.  The feel of the playoffs is not a thing where we are just happy to be there after years of misery.  It isn’t just an accomplishment to get there now. 

It’s different. 

How so?  Expectations!  There is no doubt, we the Caps fan base have a much higher expectation for this team than the previous two playoff appearances.  Much higher.  Is that fair?   

Of course it is fair.  These Washington Capitals won their third straight division title, won the Eastern Conference, and won the franchise’s first President’s Trophy.  They also swept archi-rival and hated opponent Pittsburgh for the fist time in franchise history.  That means, well, they were the best regular season team in all the NHL, period.  They scored the most goals in the NHL.  They posted a 13 game winning streak.  They led the NHL in the power play.  Boasted 7 players with 20 or more goals.  Had 4 skaters in the Top 4 in Plus/Minus.  Boasted the best home record.  Have a goalie (Jose Theodore) that posted a 21-1-3 record since the turn of 2010.  Oh, and they have the best player on the planet. 

Even more so, these Washington Capitals are no longer green when it comes to playoff experience.  There is no more excuses for youth, for just getting that experience.  The experience is there.  This is the third straight playoff appearance.   They have also been bolstered by playoff experience vets like Mike Knuble, Brendan Morrison, Joe Corvo, and Eric Belanger.  Theo has been there many times. 

So yes, this year is a bit different.  I expect the Caps to win.  I expect the Caps to advance.  I expect the Caps to be in the Eastern Conference finals.  In my reality, I fully expect the Caps to appear in the Stanley Cup. 

Did I have those expectations last season?  Two years ago?  No.  I was just happy my Caps were in the playoffs.  Somehow though, this season, that just isn’t good enough. 

Mark’s Player to Watch:  Actually two of them.  For the Caps to continue the advancement, they have to get scores beyond #8 and #19.   My two players that I think need to be active in the box score are Mike Knuble and Tomas Fleischmann.  Knuble is so valuable camping in front of the net and getting deflections and juicy rebounds.  Ovechkin will likely be firing away and the more Knuble is there, the more solid opportunities there will be.  As for Flash, you saw the kind of season he had.  He has a knack for scoring big goals at the right time.  The Caps will need that.  If these two guys are on their game, lights out for Montreal.

Mark’s Concerns:  No, believe it or not it is not goalie.  I am not concerned.  Theodore is having his best season for the Caps and is one of the hottest goalies in the NHL, period.  My concern is stout defense.   The Capitals go into stretches where they play soft defense and allow a ton of shots on goal.  Can’t happen in the playoffs.

Here is a summary of comparison stats.