The Washington Capitals, the defending Stanley Cup champions, had a 2-0 series lead on the Carolina Hurricanes. That has evaporated and it’s now a 2-2 series, a best of three. Capitals fans have freaked out and rightfully so but I got a message for those going to Game 5: Send positive vibes.
Yes the Washington Capitals have lost two straight games. Yes although the Capitals played better in Game 4 than they did in Game 3 they came up short and there’s every reason to press the panic button but adversity happens.
As we saw in last season’s run to the Stanley Cup, adversity happens to the best team. After the Capitals played inside a hostile environment, this team deserves positive vibes and a big atmosphere in the biggest game since June 7, 2018.
There will be some adversity on the injury front as well. T.J. Oshie will be out indefinitely after a controversial hit to the boards by Warren Foegele. Foegele won’t be suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
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It obviously lit a fire under captain Alex Ovechkin both on the ice and in the postgame interviews, as well as coach Todd Reirden. It should also light a fire among the fans but I mean in a positive way.
The team needs you as an extra guy on the ice. Looking at the atmosphere in Carolina, it looked awesome and part of it was just the fact of Stanley Cup playoff action returning to Raleigh for the first time in 10 years. Last season I was in D.C. both inside and around Capital One Arena for the big moments. I remember the deflation and quietness after Game 2 of the first round when the Capitals fell in overtime and were down 2-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
I remember getting getting nothing but goosebumps in the ensuing moments since. The buzz around the streets when they finally eliminated the Penguins and hosted a third round game and everything else since for the first time in 20 years. The electricity inside Capital One Arena and the streets throughout the Stanley Cup Finals and the elation and joy when it was all said and done.
Saturday night I expect the same kind of buzz, the same kind of atmosphere as it was later in the postseason than it was both earlier last year and this year. While coming in with the swagger of defending Stanley Cup champions, fans can’t show a level of complacency.
The Tampa Bay Lightning expected a deep postseason run after winning the Presidents’ Trophy and wrecking the competition all season long. The Pittsburgh Penguins are always a dangerous team and wanted to regain the throne. They both got sent home packing earlier in the week.
Yes it isn’t the Stanley Cup but if Capitals fans want a parade this June, they gotta bring the noise Saturday night. If you’re too afraid to cheer because of what’s happening on the ice, stay home and give your ticket to a fan who will.