Caps 2013 Playoff Preview

PLAYOFFS!

So like most of you I'm typically somber and cautious when this time of year hits the calender. I mean...the Caps are choke artists in the playoffs....right? That's what I've always feared I would one day think. This year's champions may have the * next to their title as the "shortened season" but I don't care! I want that cup. As I know all of you do, but years of playoff berths(....and deaths) have taught me to truly analyze the chances going into each series. After all that, I deliver to you the 6 reasons to be optimistic about the post season. 

1.) More Experienced Defense

Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Mike Green, Jeff Schultz all these guys are under 30 (Alzner and Carlson under 25) and they all have multiple years of playoff experience. Also the leadership in the defense is very interesting you have Alternate Captain Mike Green who has relaxed on scoring to take a much bigger role in the defense both on ice and off. You also have Karl Alzner who has taken a commanding control of the defense which is great news for the future of this organization. The defense know how to play Playoff hockey and is very focused and much more cooperative than they were just a few months ago. 

2.) Highly Effective Execution In Passing

Growing up I played basketball and hockey as a little kid. It was always "pass it to the kid who scores". It was right before the days of mass participation trophies. It's honestly not a bad philosophy. The passing has gone from abysmal to good to great this season, and has set up the top scorers for success. Great placement had great results. 

3.) The Ribiero Revival

Mike Ribiero has been around the league, when the Caps picked him up it was kind of like a beaten dog finding a loving owner. A team that focuses on finesse skating and high profile scoring. That's what Ribiero delivers. He may not be a tough guy (never was) but he knows how to skate through the horde and get a goal. That is exactly what was needed in Washington. 

Oh if Mike's reading this: 

Mike Ribeiro a été autour de la ligue, quand les Caps l'ont ramassé, il était un peu comme un chien battu trouver un maître affectueux. Une équipe qui se concentre sur le patinage finesse et la notation de haut niveau. C'est ce que Ribeiro offre. Il ne peut pas être un dur à cuire (n'a jamais été), mais il sait patiner à travers la horde et obtenir un objectif. C'est exactement ce qu'il fallait à Washington.

5.) Confidence in (and confident) Goal tending

Yes Holtby and Neuvirth are young guys and we consider GREAT goaltenders to get better with age (guys like Roy and even Brodeur) the dynamic duo of Holt and Neuvy have proved they can win games and create  saves. Being a goaltender in the NHL is one of, if not the, hardest position in all of organized sports. So yes one of the boys may let the drawing goal in and the shooters have to finish in a shootout later in the night, but that's going to happen. The goal tending is good going into the playoffs and that's always a good sign for any team. 

6.) Alexander Ovechkin

He's currently the best player in the world, but the best player in the world should be holding the cup right? That's logic. We can never overlook the drive of a great player. After many seasons of reaching the gates of the promised land and the oldest and wisest of all professional sports silverware He's been let down far too many times, sometimes by a coach, a teammate, and worse of all sometimes by himself. Don't look for it to happen too many more times. Or even once at all.