It's Time to Bring the Red Reign
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 15, 2010 2:00 PM EDT
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PrintFinally, after four long days of analyzing, predicting, and waiting, it all begins tonight. Les Capitals et Les Habitants collide in the post-season for the first time in history. Fitting, in a season where the Caps became the first non-Original Six team to reach 120 points. A Presidents' Trophy, and an impressive note in the annals of NHL regular seasons. Enjoy and savor that success. Prepare for what comes next.
We see this spring's NHL playoff adverts depict near tear-jerking moments for many hockey fans -- Bobby Orr "flying" through the St. Louis crease, for example -- and others that sicken Caps fans -- Super Mario's and Crosby's unfettered joys in victory. But none involving our red, white, and blue heroes. Except in mockery.
And with good reason: the Caps, as a franchise, has authored a mediocre history for itself to this point. As fans, we strain, cling desperately, to a few rays of sunshine piercing through a heavy canopy of cloud cover. Like Russian hockey fans might snicker at our country's obsession with a single Olympic victory over their national team in 1980, much of the NHL fan world could scoff at the gargantuan pedestal that Caps country has constructed as a foundation for the memory of Dale Hunter's playing days, much of which is owed to a single, first round series-winning goal over two decades ago. There's Joé Juneau too, of course. But not much after that.
They ask for the number of playoff series wins for the Caps since that surprising, unprecedented run to the Cup finals in 1998 (one). They point to the Stanley Cup and ask, rhetorically, where is reference to your team? Even the Caps' "10 Greatest Games" collection is replete with recent, individual, regular-season efforts.
This is where it begins, and all of that ends. The Young Guns. Brooksy. Brads. Grandpa Slippers. Our Real American Hero. Mr. Nasty. Theodore, a phoenix rising. These 2009-10 Capitals enter tonight's post-season play with the opportunity to achieve immortality. To be the first Washington Capitals to hoist that Cup, and have their names etched on it for all time. To have their inspirational efforts gleefully discussed for decades to come. To realize the long unrealized dream of a fan base now spanning multiple generations.
The pantheon of Capitals heroes sorely needs reinforcement, playoff-style. I hear the crimson cavalry coming.
During these next two months, let all of the waiting, the suffering, the disappointment, the missed open nets, the giveaways at the blue line, the seemingly unfair penalty calls against, the cruel twists of fate, the tragic endings that have repeated themselves many springs over, be gloriously washed away by a torrent of red rain.
Let a parent and child, spouses, partners, friends, share the spontaneous celebration of a Capitals' playoff overtime goal, that singular moment emblazoned in their memories. Let Caps supporters who are strangers outside of the rink ecstatically embrace each other as the goal-scoring siren sounds, over and over and over again, at le Centre Verizón, along the way to victory. Let corks be popped and shots downed in red-rocking, raucous revelry. Let babies be conceived on the night that Alex Ovechkin lifts the Stanley Cup aloft.
Bring your loudest voice tonight. And your most clever opponent insults. Wear your colors any and every way you choose. Show a Habs fan who happens into the barn at 7th and F courtesy, but no comfort. Don't let up, or be discouraged, or doubt. Love this team with your whole heart. A team that brought the house down all season long.
Dear friends, the terrific Capital storm is coming. And with it, we hope, a downpour for the next two months, followed by a clear, blue summer sky.
Tonight, it's time to win one game. And do it sixteen times.
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As much as I don’t want the Caps to win anything, mostly because thinking about Tom Poti trying to lift the Cup over his head makes me fear for the safety of the Cup, I at least appreciate that the fans wear the same colors as their team on the ice. I never understand why home team fans wear white.
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo
thinking about Tom Poti trying to lift the Cup over his head makes me fear for the safety of the Cup
He’ll probably have another failed clear trying to lift it over his head.
If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.
Japers' Rink - The place to be on slow work days
What more can I say?
by Steck It Out on Apr 15, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He’s probably allergic to silver. He will need to wear latex gloves, unless he is also allergic to latex.
ah-VEECH-kin
by renhoak on Apr 15, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That is mean, but full of win.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
He’ll need lambskin gloves and prosthetic lips to make his lap.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 15, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I know I heard somewhere, that teams that have dark colors at home, like the penguins black, want their fans in white so that they don’t lose sight of the puck in the backdrop of black.
by HateOffSeason on Apr 15, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Love this team with your whole heart.
I’m gonna need a bigger heart. This one’s already full.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
This nearly made me cry. In a good way. And a non-girly way. Definitely a non-girly way.
"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"
Right there with you. Kinda gives you goose bumps thinking about what’s to come.
Well said Pepper, well said.
Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
by Green_with_Envy on Apr 15, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I started to get really fired up last night before the puck dropped for the Pens vs Sens. There is nothing like playoff hockey. Go Caps!
by GreenLife420 on Apr 15, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Go Caps!
Sweep the Habs
TULO = 2010 MVP!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
LETS GO WINGS!
CAPITAL STORM...LET'S GO
If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.
Japers' Rink - The place to be on slow work days
What more can I say?
by Steck It Out on Apr 15, 2010 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That’s an easy Photoshop change. :-)
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
I leave it up to you.
If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.
Japers' Rink - The place to be on slow work days
What more can I say?
by Steck It Out on Apr 15, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it might be time to end this conversation, before we get in trouble…
biting nails while looking around worried
by Capsfan07 on Apr 15, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know that the Rink is growing but I am not sure that they have a full-time graphics department. So Paging all Photoshoppers…
"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"
I don’t have a copy at work, alas.
Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com
looks like Matt Bradley after a fight
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
by RedBirdie on Apr 15, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I would think any opponent would just skip town, and not even show up to the rink, after seeing this.
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 15, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yikes, don’t let the folks at Raw Charge see that… they’ll use it for inspiration next season (and the Bolts will be better…)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 15, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
If Ovie lifts the Cup this June, I will most certainly be trying to have a March baby. The fiance has already nixed the idea of naming our first boy Ovechkin though, so he will have to have a more normal first name, like Bradley or The-Professor.
And as I was getting dressed for work this morning and began putting on my customary red white and blue striped tie for big games I came to a crossroads. . .
Will the Hockey Gods know that it is red white and blue, and not bleu blanc et rouge?
made the music in my head play “the ants go marching 2 by 2 hurrah hurrah.”
Red reign makes me think of slow peter gabriel songs.
Caps glory makes me think happy thoughts. I really don’t think the Habs could be ready for what’s coming tonight.
by The Jade Donkey on Apr 15, 2010 2:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Let's go Caps!
Playing on my iPod- Justin Bieber, Hanna Montana, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Cosgrove and The Jonas Brothers.
by Knubles and Bits on Apr 15, 2010 2:23 PM EDT reply actions
Great stuff Pepper
But this was a little too close for comfort:
Caps country
/shudder
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 15, 2010 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
OK, I’ll come right out and say it. After watching upset after upset last night, I officially have a bad feeling about tonight. Not saying the Caps won’t win this series (even if they lose tonight they still should take the series easily) , but the all the hype and praise for this team and every “expert” coming out and giving Montreal zero chance and some even predicting a sweep has me thinking/expecting a huge letdown tonight. I know this, Montreal will have all the motivation any coach could want and that scares the hell out of me. I’m going tonight hoping for a win, but color me nervous right now.
It's the Playoffs, anything can happen.
Which makes me nervous.
The pressure is definitely on the Caps, with all the hype and expectations from the regular season.
I have faith and I never lose it, but I’m always worried.
Let’s Go Caps!
I’ll say the same thing I’ve said a lot of times this year: the only thing that can derail the Caps tonight is the Caps. If they skate, hit, forecheck hard and execute the system, Montreal has no chance. If they are lackadaisical and don’t move their feet, they can get hurt.
We’ll see what team comes out for the Caps. They’ve been flat every other Game 1 of the BB era, but it’s a different, more experienced team this year.
But Montreal only has a say in this if the Caps let them, and they seem pretty flipping motivated.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’m also nervous as all getout. I think it’s just because, having been a Washington sports fan for so long, I simply can’t imagine ever EXPECTING my team to win in the playoffs. I want it, I need it, I pray for it… But I simply don’t have that deep-down feeling that we’re going to win in the end. I’ve seen too many of our teams crap out in the postseason since 1991.
With that said…
LET’S GO CAPS! MAKE IT HAPPEN, CAP’N!
You had me at no problem.
Mr. Pepper, I give you a red salute. This really hits home. It’s like Herb Brooks for fans.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Let babies be conceived on the night that Alex Ovechkin lifts the Stanley Cup aloft.
I fully endorse sex as the most joyous of celebratory activities. Bring it ON!
ah-VEECH-kin
You got it before me. Excellent quote, Pepps!
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 15, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
If the Caps should reach the ultimate goal by season’s end, that quote will most definitely be my sig line.
"He was the patron saint of quality footwear."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Apr 15, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Sex = good. Conception? Not so much.
The stained horizon
Dark rein and rider
The steed. . . Ovechkin
After the birth of a third this past January, I agree whole heartedly. Baby-making days are so over. Sex, yes. Conception, no fucking way.
ah-VEECH-kin
I’ve got zero and I feel the same way. :)
The stained horizon
Dark rein and rider
The steed. . . Ovechkin
The world thanks me for not having Little Birds. One of me is enough!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Wait a sec. I saw your pic over on the How Do You Rock The Red fan post. No Little Birds? The world would be a brighter place with more Little Birds like you.
ah-VEECH-kin
aw, I’m blushing! But no, no little birds. I do have twin nieces who look exactly like me (weird how that stuff happens!), and are terrorizing their parents, just like I did.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Unleash the Pepper
i would not mind seeing a live read of this on the jumbotron during a tv timeout in the third period. f tom green, i wanna see pepper bring down the house!
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
I will be in attendance for Game 2 . . .
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 15, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
can you channel your inner herb brooks?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 15, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's go Caps!
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Let babies be conceived on the night that Alex Ovechkin lifts the Stanley Cup aloft.
I’m gonna “take one for the team” and make an appointment to reverse my snip job.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
Better do it, soon – you’ve only got two months to heal!
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 15, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say that if a period of Red Reign starts tonight…that the streak to the playoffs, accompanied by Alex’s 65 in 08…Alex’s Game 6 breakaway against the Flyers that assured a Game 7…Feds’ series winner against the Rangers in Game 7 last year…and the resilience that they showed to force 2 game 7s last year are part of the Reign…the foundation this new era is built on.
Red Reign
Way to go, Pepper. I can’t “rec” this enough. Goosebumps all around.
Let’s Go Caps!
Drove my Chevy to the levy and the levy was Bri.
Ovie was the only one who showed up that night, so I’m pretty sure MAF robbed him.
Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Apr 15, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
MAF robs him. He read the move—you can tell because he opens the five-hole while throwing his glove up. I think that’s a no-no for a butterfly goalie.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 15, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Something Caps and Pens fans agree on… awesome save by MAF, one of many he made in the playoffs and didn’t make last night…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 15, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Scary statistic that doesn’t mean shit: (from nhl.com)
“Home ice advantage hasn’t been kind to the Caps in the past, winning just five of 15 Game 1s at home in the history of the franchise. For their part, the Habs have stolen 12 of 21 opening games on the road in the club’s history.”
Awesome statistic that does:
“The gap in offense in this series could be wide. Washington led the NHL with 3.82 goals per game while Montreal was 26th at 2.56 goals per game. In 5-on-5 play, the Caps had a League-best 213 goals while the Habs had a League-worst 132 goals. However, their power plays are similarly good. Washington was first at 25.2 percent and Montreal was second at 21.8 percent, but the Caps had 52 more advantages than the Canadiens.”
Having been a Caps fan for 30 years, I just can’t go into the playoffs expecting to win. I only expect disappointment, it’s how Caps hockey has been done for, well, forever. I will be euphorically surprised if they do pull it out somehow – they definitely have the mojo this year – but I know – as do all Caps fans – that anything can happen in the playoffs. I keep thinking of Kevin Hatcher scoring 34 goals in the regular season in 93, and none in the playoffs, which lasted only 6 games. That’s the kind of thing that can happen in the playoffs, so I’ve learned not to get excited.
That said, great post, Pepper. We’re all in this together, Caps nation.
this year is different. I feel it, I’ve felt it all season. Long gone are the days of watching games a 2 goal lead and going “god, how are they going to blow it this time?!” Or feeling all hope is lost when down by 2. This team wins. This team doesn’t let up. This team is going to be the team we talk about for the rest of our lives.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Yeah, I feel it too, things have been different this year – they’ve prevailed when previous Caps teams would have rightly packed it in. The comeback against Chicago. The Snovechkin game. Win #13 against the Rangers. It’s been different, they’ve dominated the league this year.
But the 85-86 team reached 107 points in an era when that was rare. They were a near-impenetrable defensive team led by Rod Langway that hadn’t blow a 2-goal lead the entire year. And then…and then they did it 3 times in one series against the Rangers, who’d finished something like 25 points back of them, and lost in the 2nd round 4-2.
I am playing the insufferable pessimist role here, I know, and I apologize for being Debbie Downer. But that’s what being a Caps fan for 30 years has done to me. I still want to win, I just don’t believe it.
Hey we need this point of view as well
There’s a need for people to temper the enthusiasm and moderate expectations sometimes as well. Also, there will be a need for counseling services for the newbies in the event things take a turn for the worse.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
I’ve been a fan for 28 years and this year feels different than all the others. That 85-86 team never had the feel of a team that could truly contend for a Cup. Same with 97-98 team. Not enough offense in both cases. This team is good enough to win it all.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Fantastic, Pepper. Absolutely fantastic.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Not gonna lie, I had the “history will be made” song running through my head while I was reading this….then when I got to the part about a storm of red rain, I heard thunder in the background, and all of a sudden…the metal song in 300 came to mind LOL LETS GO CAPS!!!
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Apr 15, 2010 3:49 PM EDT reply actions
5BBs
and we’ve only got one run. Not a good sign. Maybe without the Bergmann karma today our bullpen will win one. Keep up the work Olsen. Just don’t walk people and trust your defense and we’ll build on that.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Dang it I'm a flippin' fool.
I’m also listening to the Nats and I wrong posted.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Nats floundering AGAIN?
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Not really.
It’s 1-1. Scott Olsen is pitching well. Nyjer Morgan has reached base three times. Philly’s starter has a high pitch count.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
I think I’m in love with Nyjer Morgan
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Nyjer Morgan is also in love with Nyjer Morgan
…he’s been good for the Nats and I hope he solidifies his position. You should check out Federal baseball sometimes. They need more soldiers. I consider rooting for the Nats now much like deciding to root for the Caps once early on in Ovie’s rookie season before we knew he was that good.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Other Red Rain!
I would prefer this Red Rain. Favorite White Stripes song!
The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn from the crow.
The White Stripes are certainly better suited to a hockey game, I will give you that.
by darwintheboxer on Apr 15, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm Ready for New Memories
I shut down my browser a few hours ago to force me to work, and then I sat through a meeting, only to come back and read the excitement on this board. I am ready to go and ready for new memories.
I remember the Save the Caps campaign.
I remember going from party to party in college the night the Caps and Isles went into 4OT and finding the TV tuned in in every room – and drinking heavily after the game ended.
I remember sitting with my 3-year-old son (now 14) on my coffee table watching Juneau tuck that puck in from the crease to win the East. I also remember returning my unused ticket for game 6 of the finals that year.
Before moving to the STL, I remember that one year of finally affording season tickets and not believing how huge Jagr was. I remember how well that worked out.
I am leery, but I am excited and ready for new memories. I will watch the last minute of game six versus the Pens last year as motivation before the game – still saved on the DVR – to remember how good it can be.
Then — unfortunately — I go into media blackout. I have to coach my daughter’s softball team from 6:00 to 7:30 central. No phone, no radio, no tv. I’ll join you guys once I catch up on the DVR.
C-A-P-S, Caps, Caps, Caps! 16 wins and great memories.
Watching more games on Slingbox than anyone else!
STL these are always helpful...
…to us later arrivers who need to know our history. Any organization that forgets its history is doomed to become irrelevant or meaningless.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
I'm excited for this.
As a Stars fan, I usually don’t get to put any of my focus on the Caps. I’m excited to be a Caps fan during these playoffs. I think we could see something very special from this team.
Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Apr 15, 2010 4:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
welcome aboard! want us to ship you a #10 Bradley t-shirt?
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days
Here’s the thing. Much like Phil Mickelson before he won his first major, I am not simply excited by our chances this season. Yes, of course, we have to win the 1st one. But given the cap like and young talent genius with which GMGM has purposefully constructed this team, I see no reason to not expect MULTIPLE CUPS.
Our talent is better than Pittsburgh’s. It’s better than Chicago’s (so long as Varly does develop into what we think he will be).
Once is not enough.
Unleash The Fury.
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