Alright Caps fans, are we going to the playoffs?

[kreitmaster]

I know it's early, but this would be really big after a very tough year last season. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I would definitely like to see this team go to the playoffs. I think it is amazing how well we have played on the road, 8-4-4, very, very impressive. What kind of odds would you give them to go to the playoffs?

[herrmag]

I think there's a distinct possibility that they could sneak in as the 7th or 8th seed. I see us and Pittsburgh battling to the end of the season over those spots.

[SackMachine]

Going in as a low seed and put up a fight in the first round but lose (since youd be facing a team like bufallo or the rangers, although I think you could take NY)

[freakinandpeakin]

The Caps have a shot at the playoffs this year. They are a young team and should keep improving as the season goes along. Meaning a better second half than first half. They need to get through this stretch now, never mind 4 games in 5 nights, with so many injuries. If they come through this stretch and get healthy for the second half they should be okay.

[monkforhall]

Every team in any sport alway has a chance these days. Except the Nationals this year.

Carolina wasn't supposed to be very good last year were they? They were a low seed and ended up winning the thing, anything is possible. GO CAPS

[RobertGoulet]

they have a great chance. they lost something like 5 in a row and i was thinking man the seasons done but suposedly and stomach virus was making its way thru the team and now they're back on track. http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Spector/2007/01/08/Stop_Bugging_Us

[herrmag]

they have a great chance. they lost something like 5 in a row and i was thinking man the seasons done but suposedly and stomach virus was making its way thru the team and now they're back on track. http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Spector/2007/01/08/Stop_Bugging_Us

Wow, I never even heard about this. I know that we had some key guys out, mostly on defense, but I trhought those were due to injury, not sickness.

[twenty-eight]

FO SHO!!!


yeah we'll make it

[NEMO]

I had that stomache flu... it made its way through the entire DC area. Being sick only lasted exactly 24 hours but man what an intense 24 hours. Also, it depleats your energy for a while, like a week you just feel tired and weak in the joints.

Playoffs- were going to do this all year. Losing streak followed by a winning streak. Its not that were bad were just young and are trying to learn to play more consistent hockey. The coaches are backing off the pressure and are letting the Captains (+ Kolzig, who is really the C on this team) be the ones who talk playoffs. Are D is starting to play a lot better and sans injury to our blueline... we should sneak into the 8th spot.

[PokerPacker]

Going in as a low seed and put up a fight in the first round but lose (since youd be facing a team like bufallo or the rangers, although I think you could take NY)
we already beat buffalo once, and we'll do it again if we have to. :)

[ceviker]

I guarantee you we will make playoffs and I guarantee that once we do, we won't be easily skated on! You can sure as hell bet that I will be at every home playoff game, too.

[Shadowplay]

I know it's early, but this would be really big after a very tough year last season. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I would definitely like to see this team go to the playoffs. I think it is amazing how well we have played on the road, 8-4-4, very, very impressive. What kind of odds would you give them to go to the playoffs?

You say you're not a huge hockey fan though you use the collective "we" when discussing the Caps....faux pax my friend.

[monkforhall]

Doesn't look like it. That Florida game was disgusting. Sad.

[herrmag]

At this point, unlikely. If the Caps can string together some wins, say 7 of their next 10 or 11, maybe they'll be back in contention, but the way they're playing, I seriously doubt it. The next few weeks will probably determine who is staying on the team, and who is going to be replaced by someone called up. They've dropped so low so fast that if they continue, they'll be eliminated from the playoffs by the end of February/early March (and I mean literally, not figuratively).

[BayouBrave86]

Nope, not this year. The defense is in shambles. I really think losing Erskine to that foot injury killed alot of momentum this team had. In my opinion, he was one of the main leaders on the team in his short stint. Does anyone know when he is coming back? Maybe when he returns it will light a fire underneath alot of the guys. Anyway, it's been fun this season to see the other players around step up around Ovechkin, especially Alexander 2. Hopefully they give Fehr and Flash a long look up in the bigs for the rest of the year if we keep losing like this.

[PokerPacker]

Nope, not this year. The defense is in shambles. I really think losing Erskine to that foot injury killed alot of momentum this team had. In my opinion, he was one of the main leaders on the team in his short stint. Does anyone know when he is coming back? Maybe when he returns it will light a fire underneath alot of the guys. Anyway, it's been fun this season to see the other players around step up around Ovechkin, especially Alexander 2. Hopefully they give Fehr and Flash a long look up in the bigs for the rest of the year if we keep losing like this.
Erskin and muir are on the IR list with foot fractures

[herrmag]

It was great to see Fehr score his first goal in a dominant win over the 'Canes!! :cheers:

This team is like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Offensively, they are hit or miss. One thing is for sure though; I think Semin is a bonefide All-Star, and he, Ovy, and hopefully Fehr will all have a bright future together.

[PokerPacker]

It was great to see Fehr score his first goal in a dominant win over the 'Canes!! :cheers:

This team is like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Offensively, they are hit or miss. One thing is for sure though; I think Semin is a bonefide All-Star, and he, Ovy, and hopefully Fehr will all have a bright future together.
i didn't see that game, i heard it happen while i was in the car on my way to my own game.

[Rypien 91]

Every team in any sport alway has a chance these days. Except the Nationals this year.

Carolina wasn't supposed to be very good last year were they? They were a low seed and ended up winning the thing, anything is possible. GO CAPS

I think Carolina was a #1 or #2 seed out of the east last year...hopefully they can catch the Atl. and make another run.

[SkinsHokieFan]

7 points out of the 8th spot with 31 games to go

If we are not within 2-3 points after the next 10 games, its time to tank the season and get another top 5 pick, hopefully getting a star D-man for the future

The team is very close, but these next 10 games are the season. We gotta get at least 14 points out of them

[freakinandpeakin]

I don't think this team is going to be makiing a playoff push. When we are sitting by waiting for the return of Muir and Erskine to help the defense that is just a horrible sign. Add Pothier's injury to the mix and we are left with journeymen and first or second year d-men back there.

youngsters: Morrissonn, Eminger, Green, Shultz
journeymen: Nycholat, Heward

The lack of defensive depth is really showing its head right now. They Caps need to go out and get a couple of more defensemen for this line-up to be really competitive. They also sunk this season by using Klepis and Beech as placeholders for the second line center position, waiting for Backstrum.

I was optomistic for this team when they got hot in December, but injuries and a lack of depth and experience have killed this teams chances to make the playoffs.

[stretch]

Still, I think this season can be counted as a success by the way the team played when everybody was healthy. Maybe they can continue that when everybody gets back but I think they'll still miss the playoffs. Still an improvement over last year for sure.

Leonsis said recently that the Caps will add at least one, maybe two defensemen in the offseason. I think they could go after a true number one guy like they tried last summer with Chara and maybe a depth guy. They offered Chara over 7 million per year so they are willing to spend for the right guy it seems. This team would be in pretty good shape if that happened and with Backstrom coming over.

[BayouBrave86]

Where did Leonsis say that, just wondering?

[stretch]

Where did Leonsis say that, just wondering?

He said it in an online chat with fans. It was posted on the Cap's official board a few weeks ago. He also said McPhee has the greenlight to make trades.

[freakinandpeakin]

Are you talking about his Washington Post Chat from December 8, 2006? If so, can you post the quote. I skimmed it just now and don't see that anywhere.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/12/06/DI2006120600659.html

[clathel]

Nope....No way....you have to win to get in

[BayouBrave86]

Are you talking about his Washington Post Chat from December 8, 2006? If so, can you post the quote. I skimmed it just now and don't see that anywhere.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/12/06/DI2006120600659.html


Chicago: Ted,

What is the offseason plan to address the defense? We can't continue to give up 35 shots a game. It's too big a drain on the entire team.

Ted Leonsis: We have to let the young kids play and get experienced -- we need to add another vet or two -- and let them play together.

Well that is good to see I guess.

[freakinandpeakin]

That is far different from saying they WILL add a defensemen or two. I'll believe it when I see it. I think Ted has become gun shy after HIS decision to go after Jagr. (GMGM apparently wanted nothing to do with Jagr).

[BayouBrave86]

True. If management doesn't make an attempt to add a top 4 defenseman to this blueline this upcoming offseason, I'm going to seriously doubt this organization and Ted. I might start advocating for Ted to sell the team. This team needs good vets to learn from, not waiver wire trash.

[herrmag]

True. If management doesn't make an attempt to add a top 4 defenseman to this blueline this upcoming offseason, I'm going to seriously doubt this organization and Ted. I might start advocating for Ted to sell the team. This team needs good vets to learn from, not waiver wire trash.

I think that's a tad much. Sell the team? We're finally headed in the right direction. We have some young defensive talent that is still fairly raw. Adding another defenseman will happen this offseason assuming GM can find the right player for the right price. However, I like the fact that unlike the 'skins, they WON'T overpay for anyone. This team needs more time, plain and simple. After having waited this long, there's no sense in jumping off the Leonsis bandwagon now.

[BayouBrave86]

It just really pisses me off how Leonsis is so quick to make it a point of not having high attendance figures so there is no point in spending money on the team. Sure Ted, you didn't have luck with Jagr, but you still got pretty good attendance with a winning product on the team. I'm not saying he needs to hit the cap, but he needs to put some money into the team to help it grow and mature as a product on the ice or else our rebuilding efforts are going to go down the drain, and it'll be a damn shame considering the wealth of young talent this team has on offense. Look at the San Jose Sharks, we aren't that far off from being a real threat. We need another RW for the top 2 lines and some good veteran help on the Dline.