The handshakes are over, the exit interviews have been filmed, the planes are taking off. In Washington D.C., the off-season has begun. The players who call this place home for months on end have departed for their homelands, leaving us fans here to wallow in the aftermath. We are left to mourn.
We have had the chance to reflect since being eliminated Wednesday, analyze what should and shouldn’t have been done, and how we prepare for the next run. And as we look back on the series, in hindsight we see evidence of the end; outshooting the Lightning with no real scoring chances, ineffective power plays, repeated bad turnovers. We look back and realize that we knew the end was coming, and that we all started grieving long ago.
Game 1: Denial
Despite the sloppy defense that led to some of Tampa’s goals, the game is a fluke. The Caps are a bit rusty from the long rest, Tampa is riding the high after the Game 7 win over the Penguins. The score ends 4-2 but that last one was an empty-netter so it really didn’t count. And it’s only Game 1. No doubt the Caps will be able to get Game 2 with the madness of Verizon backing them and carry that momentum into Tampa.
Game 2: Anger
Ovechkin gets a one-on-one chance, Semin has a wide open net, Backstrom is all alone in front of the net. Just when we think it’s the end, our captain comes through in the final seconds, and we’re back! In our own building, with that last goal, nothing can stop us! No, no, NO!!! LECAVALIER!!! Where did he come from??!!!! We fight shift after shift to lose on a bad change? WHAT THE $#&! @#%!@!!
Game 3: Bargaining
Tampa scores first, but it’s only one goal right? Just one goal, that’s all we need. At least get this 5-on-3 goal. Up 3-2 at the end of second! Alright, just keep this lead, not be too aggressive. But maybe just a goal, oh–ok, Stamkos tied it up but we’re good, just– Oh my, just please don’t allow another goal. You can get one back, just at least tie it up. Please don’t lose Game 3. Just one game…
Game 4: Depression
This is it. After all the work, the losing streak, the Winter Classic, Jason Arnott, the Rangers. It’s all over. Is it even worth watching? Can’t even enjoy Beninati and Laughlin. Are the Caps even trying? Not even the first goal. There’s no way we can come back from 3-0. Nobody can score, and that 1-3-1 is too good. Can we bear the final handshake, the taunting cheers? And the post-game; they’ll be talking about this for days.
The Aftermath: Acceptance
Our power play wasn’t good enough. Sure Semin showed up this year, but it would’ve been nice if Backstrom had gotten more than one point in the series. Neuvirth wasn’t bad, but he definitely needed some support–too many lost battles, defensive breakdowns, bad choices. And everyone keeps bringing up Boudreau. But the truth is, this team needs some work. What it is, we can only guess. And yes, year after year it’s been the same thing, but you can bet we’ll be right here come April 2012.
