[AP Recap – Game Summary – Event Summary – WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]
Last year’s clinching of the Southeast Division crown was, at that point at least, inarguably the season’s high point. This year the same achievement doesn’t carry nearly the same luster, partially because a failure to win the Southeast this season would have represented a failure of preseason expectations, partially because of the inherent bittersweet quality of taking the title in a game that the team lost, and partially because the simple reality is that this Capitals squad is capable of greater things this season. Nonetheless, consecutive division championships are something to celebrate, as is winning a division that could send three teams to the postseason. So take a moment to stop worrying about the team’s defensive miscues and seeming over-reliance on the powerplay to think about what they’ve accomplished.
Some other thoughts on last night’s game:
Unfortunately, despite the point that clinched the division for the Capitals last night the team lost ground to the Devils, who beat Tampa Bay. Fortunately the Capitals, who still control their own destiny when it comes to the conference’s second seed, have a good opporunity to keep their lead when the face a weak Atlanta team on Sunday afternoon.