Washington Capitals defied the odds to secure a playoff spot
In one of the craziest series of events in NHL regular season history, the Washington Capitals got some luck and secured the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
After missing out on the playoffs last season, the Capitals looked like a longshot to make the playoffs earlier in the season. Heading to March, Washington was seven points out of the Wild Card picture. Yet, the team managed to string together enough wins to get back into contention, and in the final game of their regular season, they beat the Philadelphia Flyers, to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in two years–though they had some help with an empty-net.
The Caps’ turnaround was impressive. They battled through injuries, and a sluggish start from captain Alexander Ovechkin, to play beyond the regular season.
Now, they are rewarded by playing the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the first round.
On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Colby Cohen discuss how Washington made a great run, despite many counting them out.
Frank Seravalli: The amazing part to me…when you look at this Caps team, they sold off pieces at the deadline, minus-37 goal differential on the year, which is the worst goal differential for a team to make it to the playoffs since the league expanded to 22 teams. This is kind of an unbelievable year. I don’t think Washington, in their wildest imagination, at trade deadline time, thought they were going to be a playoff team this year.
Colby Cohen: I think a lot of this coincides with two things in particular. Alex Ovechkin went on a tear. Everyone was counting him for Gretzky’s record four months ago. You look at Spencer Carberry, the rookie coach. Needed some time to get comfortable in that role. I remember talking to Dylan Strome about this kind of at the halfway point…He praised the humbleness and the willingness to listen and learn, but also take command when he needed to take command. I don’t think we’re talking about him enough in the Jack Adams conversation.
You can watch the full segment, and the entire episode here…