Post by ALL CAPS on Apr 5, 2024 0:51:32 GMT -5
Capitals Prepared for Road to Playoffs
Washington, DC - The Washington Capitals travelled to Sin City for a game against the Golden Knights Thursday night hoping for a big win, and perhaps a late night social in the gambling capital of the world afterwards. Instead, the Caps lost the game, despite controlling play for much of the play, and the team was rushed back to the airport for the earliest flight back to DC. It wasn’t the result that the Caps were looking for on this night but every once in a while you run into a hot goalie.
As the Caps venture forward into the twilight of Season 21, a season that has been a great story so far for the franchise, they will face a series of tests that are sure to prepare them for what lays ahead in the playoffs.
The team will start off their road to the playoffs against the division rival New York Islanders in a much anticipated 2-game home-and-home series that begins Saturday in the nation’s capital. While the Caps would love to build on their Conference lead in the standings in the two-game mini-series, they know they will be in tough as the Islanders find themselves fighting to secure their playoff position.
“(The Islanders) are a dangerous team, and we know them very well,” said veteran Jamie Benn following his team’s 1-0 loss to Vegas. “We know (the Islanders) had their share of adversity earlier in the year, but we don’t take them lightly – we’ve had these games circled on our calendar for quite some time.”
After the Islanders the Caps will move on to host the Edmonton Oilers next Wednesday in what some critics believe could be a preview of the Stanley Cup finals.
“Can we just skip ahead to that part?” joked veteran Jeff Skinner with an exaggerated shoulder shrug when asked if he felt the game against the Oiler’s could be a preview of the finals. “No, we aren’t looking that far ahead. That would be a great disrespect to our opponents. We are focusing on our own game and taking it one at a time because ultimately, that’s when we play our best hockey.”
The road to the playoffs continues as the Caps will face the Tampa Bay Lightning (Days 139 & 143) and St. Louis Blues (Days 141 & 146) two games each over the course of seven nights. The ability to battle in back-to-back situations, and to be able to compete against familiar faces in some meaningful hockey games late in the season is going to be a great stress test for the eager Capitals.
“We’ve been preparing for these games all season long, so we will be ready when the puck drops,” said Mitch Marner who leads the Capitals in scoring with 78 points (37 goals).
Next, the Caps will host the Black Hawks (Day 147) before closing out the season against the Red Wings (Day 151).
Stay tuned as the Round 1 playoff picture unfolds in the days and weeks ahead.
Richard Thingyi, Senior Hockey Insider
DC Leaks Sports Media & Entertainment
Washington, DC - The Washington Capitals travelled to Sin City for a game against the Golden Knights Thursday night hoping for a big win, and perhaps a late night social in the gambling capital of the world afterwards. Instead, the Caps lost the game, despite controlling play for much of the play, and the team was rushed back to the airport for the earliest flight back to DC. It wasn’t the result that the Caps were looking for on this night but every once in a while you run into a hot goalie.
As the Caps venture forward into the twilight of Season 21, a season that has been a great story so far for the franchise, they will face a series of tests that are sure to prepare them for what lays ahead in the playoffs.
The team will start off their road to the playoffs against the division rival New York Islanders in a much anticipated 2-game home-and-home series that begins Saturday in the nation’s capital. While the Caps would love to build on their Conference lead in the standings in the two-game mini-series, they know they will be in tough as the Islanders find themselves fighting to secure their playoff position.
“(The Islanders) are a dangerous team, and we know them very well,” said veteran Jamie Benn following his team’s 1-0 loss to Vegas. “We know (the Islanders) had their share of adversity earlier in the year, but we don’t take them lightly – we’ve had these games circled on our calendar for quite some time.”
After the Islanders the Caps will move on to host the Edmonton Oilers next Wednesday in what some critics believe could be a preview of the Stanley Cup finals.
“Can we just skip ahead to that part?” joked veteran Jeff Skinner with an exaggerated shoulder shrug when asked if he felt the game against the Oiler’s could be a preview of the finals. “No, we aren’t looking that far ahead. That would be a great disrespect to our opponents. We are focusing on our own game and taking it one at a time because ultimately, that’s when we play our best hockey.”
The road to the playoffs continues as the Caps will face the Tampa Bay Lightning (Days 139 & 143) and St. Louis Blues (Days 141 & 146) two games each over the course of seven nights. The ability to battle in back-to-back situations, and to be able to compete against familiar faces in some meaningful hockey games late in the season is going to be a great stress test for the eager Capitals.
“We’ve been preparing for these games all season long, so we will be ready when the puck drops,” said Mitch Marner who leads the Capitals in scoring with 78 points (37 goals).
Next, the Caps will host the Black Hawks (Day 147) before closing out the season against the Red Wings (Day 151).
Stay tuned as the Round 1 playoff picture unfolds in the days and weeks ahead.
Richard Thingyi, Senior Hockey Insider
DC Leaks Sports Media & Entertainment