To everybody, I feel your frustration. Trust me, we've all been thinking about yesterday's game and just wishing we could turn back time for the Caps to correct their mistakes. Consider this. Professional hockey is a show, it's for fun. You have to enjoy watching your favourite team, win or lose, otherwise there's no point. That's why I decided to stop being pessimistic and just see all the positive things the Caps give us.
They're not on the verge of bankruptcy or relocation, they play fun hockey (at least in the regular season) and they make the playoffs almost every year. Sure they choke and they'll likely never win a Cup in the Ovechkin era but it could be worse. At least they're not the Coyotes or the Islanders.
This year was a fun year for me. Travelled down twice to Washington, once for my birthday and I missed the game because of my flight, and the second time I watched game 2 vs the Leafs. I've met my fellow Caps fans, visited this beautiful city and I even met an amazing girl in DC.
I learned that Caps fans are good natured and extremely patient with their team. I kept in touch with an old couple that have been following the Caps since 1980 and they still love the Caps. I was amazed by the atmosphere at the Verizon Centre, it was as good as any hockey game I've ever seen and that's comparing them to the Habs at the Bell Centre.
I can assure you we will be back. It might take a year, 5 years or even 10 years but we'll make it eventually. We just need to accept that the Ovechkin era was a failure and move on as soon as possible.
Normally I enjoy watching the NHL channel, can't bear to watch a dissection of the Caps' series loss or a look ahead to upcoming series. Been a Caps fan since Dennis Maruk was advertising Sasson Jeans and I haven't gotten used to anything, I'm still feeling the pain. Maybe even more so because an era I had such high hopes for may be coming to an end.
Was thinking today about a scenario where we completely gut the team and win a SC, say, 5 years from now. Sure I would be happy, but the hurt of OV and Backstrom never making it to the ECFs would always be there. Just like the pain of my 80's and 90's teams still lingers.
If we win the SC, I don't care if Ovi and Nicky aren't on the team. They've had their chances. I'm a Caps fan before being an Ovechkin or Backstrom fan. They'll find a way to win one with another team, I'm sure.