« The ‘83 Fleer Project: Even Sammy Stewart’s Eyebrow Finds This Odd | Home | O’s Nab the Japanese Import of the Year »
It’s Time to Board the Caps’ Bandwagon
By Jamie Mottram | January 7, 2009
Though I frequented Caps games in the ’80s and Chris rocked their sweater in the ’90s, we’ve hardly followed them in the ’00s. But I know a change is gonna come.
With Washington’s 2-1 shootout victory over Philadelphia last night, consider the following:
- They’ve won seven in a row, and 12 of 13
- They’re 18-1-1 at home
- Jose Theodore has won five straight starts in goal
- They have the second-most points in the East, fourth-most overall
- Ovechkin is tied for the lead in goals, and Backstrom is fifth in assists
That’s by the numbers. What’s anecdotal is that I actually knew the Caps were playing the Flyers. I knew Philly had beaten them in a Game 7 last year, and 7-1 last month. And not only did I know, I even cared a little bit.
Maybe not enough to print up “Stay the Course” t-shirts (sorry, Steinz), but caring nonetheless. And that’s progress; a small step towards pretending we’ve been here all along.
Caps-Flyers runoff: highlights … the fans hate each other … no they don’t … shootouts, Zamboni delays and “dirty hits” … holy men in the locker room
Topics: Capitals, Jinx, Philly Sucks | 12 Comments »
January 7th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
You’d better not jinx things, Mottram…
January 7th, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Most importantly, they’re really fun to watch. Those excellent Devils teams of the late-90s/early-00s were boooooring.
Analogy you might appreciate:
05-08 Caps:05-07 Suns = 00-03 Devils:mid-90s Knicks/Heat
Of course, the Suns didn’t win it all, but you get the point.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Seriously, It’s about damn time you guys got on-board. They’re winning and they’re selling out and yet it’s still hard for the Caps to get more than 5 minutes of attention.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:56 AM
We die hard Caps fans welcome all new bandwagoners to the bus. Now, just don’t jump off it!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Ha! Beat you to it!
http://www.stetsports.com/2009/01/02/a-red-resolution-for-the-washington-capitals/
January 7th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I was on board when I ran into Ted Leonsis at the Pearl Jam concert last spring.
Larry Bird Flu is correct, they are a joy to watch because of their passing and teamwork.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Seriously about time. The fact that Ovechkin was #8 on your yearly list is stupid. That must have been a personal list as opposed to an actual, all encompassing list.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:01 PM
That list was based on how much we blogged about those people in 2k8, and he was actually No. 9. Had it been an all-encompassing list, or whatever, he probably would’ve been No. 1.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:13 PM
It’s my attention to details that makes me a valuable asset to my company.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I’m happy to see this thread has not been filled with posts of “oh, now you pay attention to the caps since football season is over” or the like from myopic hockey fans.
The game won’t grow until new fans (or lapsed fans) start caring too.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:41 AM
Welcome to the group of Washington Capitals fans, where you are treated with respect by the organization and its owners. This change can be shocking for those used to their experiences with the Redskins. But let me assure you that none of this is for show. You will attend games at a state-of-the-art sports facility located in the center of downtown D.C., easily reached by public transportation and surrounded by great restaurants and attractions. You will cheer for a team run by an incredibly accessible owner and a knowledgeable GM who uses the team’s draft picks smartly and does not spend several hours out of his week hosting a radio show. Don’t worry about losing anything though in the transition; the players are just as quirky (see their segway adventures) and the coach has just as many wacky sayings plus he looks like an egg. Again, welcome to the Washington Capitals and we hope you will be rocking the red for a long time to come.
January 8th, 2009 at 6:01 PM
This is all you need to know about AO8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzbmI6-YSnQ