For the third year in a row, the Washington Capitals are hitting the ice against the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This matchup has been much anticipated by Caps fans who hope to come back from the tragic 2-1 loss in game seven of last year’s series.
On paper, the Capitals look successful with a record of 27-18, having won the Southeast Division carried by the Rocket Richard Trophy winner for the most goals in the league, Alex Ovechkin.
Despite these seemingly great feats, the Caps are entering the playoffs ill-equipped to win the Stanley Cup.
The Southeast is widely considered to be one of the worst divisions in the NHL, with only the Caps and the Winnipeg Jets over .500. While facing their division the Capitals are 15-3, but in games against Eastern Conference playoff teams they hold a shabby record of 7-13, causing concern for many Caps fans.
Ovechkin’s high scoring may also be hollow as the Capitals on average scored 4.1 goals against their division on three of the five lowest ranked goalies in the league. Against other Eastern Conference playoff teams, the Capitals have struggled with an average of 2.1 goals scored per game. Three of the five teams who let in the most goals on average, GAA, are in the Southeast. The Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning each let in over 150 goals this season.
It will be interesting to see if the Capitals post-season struggle continues or if they can take advantage of the shortened season and win their first ever Stanley Cup.
Anonymous • May 3, 2013 at 8:38 am
The facts you used are irrelevant. The caps were awful in the first half of the shortened season and lost a majority of their games then. Yea you can say they finished with the 27th penalty kill in the nhl, but the second half of the season they were much much better. Their powerplay also finished first in the NHL. You only presented facts that were already broken because of the first half of the season. How about you post the statistics for wins of the second half.
Anon • May 2, 2013 at 4:50 pm
If the Caps played in the West they would struggle to make the playoffs. Teams play much better defense and there’s not one bad division like the Southeast.
Anon • May 2, 2013 at 4:44 pm
How is it ill-informed?
Anonymous • May 2, 2013 at 4:10 pm
I dont necessarily agree with storys point, as Im a huge Caps fan, but it doesnt mean that its poorly written or ill informed. Just because you dont agree with a point doesn’t mean its facts are wrong. This is something that really does bug me, not just with this, but with other things in school as well, where someone will just blatantly disregard you opinion, just because they dont agree with it.
Guy • May 2, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Huh why is that Anon? Explain your reasoning behind your comment?
Anon • May 2, 2013 at 1:18 pm
What came to my mind after reading this: poorly written, ill-informed.