DCSB: The seas are parting for the Caps

Gomez Haziran 16, 2022

Yikes. (Chris O'Meara/Associated Press)

What should we think about the chasm that just opened up in the NHL's Eastern Conference, the parting seas, to use a timely reference, if you get what I'm saying?

1) First consider the narrative possibilities of a Caps-vs.-Trotz series on the island. Barry Trotz could never get past the second round; will he do it two years in a row, once with the Caps and once against them? The Caps could never get past the second round; will they do it two years in a row, once with Trotz and once against him? Were the Caps right to stand their ground in their contract negotiations? Was Trotz right that he's worth many, many dollars? Was Todd Reirden all the Caps thought he would be? Can one man in a suit make that much of a difference? Will those charming eyebrow wags become menacing on the other bench? Even if these are all simplistic questions, they're pretty juicy.

2) The harsh scent of underachievement has already drifted away from the dominant Caps Presidents' Trohpy winners, thanks to last year. Tampa Bay's first-round KO should only help. As Isabelle wrote today, "no league is as unintentionally cruel to its top seed as the NHL." The Caps had many playoff failures. None like that, though. (Read more, from Isabelle.)

3) The Caps managed to remain mildly under the radar all season. Um, yeah. No longer. With Tampa and the Penguins both gone, the world has opened up, which also opens up the idea of disappointment. The Caps are 5-1 favorites to win the Stanley Cup, per Vegas Insider. No one else is better than 11-2, and the East's second-best odds are giving to an Islanders team that was never supposed to be here.

4) Can you imagine how dramatically Alex Ovechkin's story could yet change? If he goes back-to-back? While some of his peers have hit postseason stumbling blocks? Lot of narrative whiplash possible. Including the reverse, if the Caps cannot manage to escape this Carolina series.

Suffice it to say, the Caps sure appear to be in a stronger position now than they were a month or two ago, and while it's bad for our web traffic, watching the Penguins get swept in the first round appeared to be good for the life satisfaction of our readers. Email me if you want, and I'll be back tomorrow. — Dan Steinberg

Alan May, UFC and Andrei Svechnikov's brother react to Alex Ovechkin's knockout blows. To everyone asking us to stop writing about one fight in a blowout loss: First you stop reading about it. That'll show us. (Read)
Speaking of which, after Rod Brind'Amour got a chance to speak with Andrei Svechnikov, he implied that Ovechkin wasn't being entirely truthful when he said Svechnikov was the one who asked for the bout. "There's two versions going around," Brind'Amour said. "I'll just leave it at that." (Read)
As defending Stanley Cup champions, the Capitals know how to regroup, move forward and bounce back. So says this story, anyhow. (Read)
History no longer feels like a burden, but the Caps' record in Game 3 after taking a 2-0 series lead is pretty remarkably bad. But whatever. (Read)
The Nats lost again. Lots not to like in this one. They're now 7-8 for the third time in five years. The exceptions: 11-4 and 10-5 starts under Dusty Baker. I'm not saying. I'm just saying. (Read)
Anthony Rendon is on fire, but his extension talks with the Nats have yet to heat up. He has one of the best OPS marks in baseball, and a meeting with Mark Lerner Tuesday seemed fairly incremental, at best. (Read)
Kyle Guy will enter the NBA draft, but he left open the possibility of coming back to Charlottesville. (Read)

Today on TV: The Nats host the Giants at 7 on MASN. The Orioles are in Tampa at 7 on MASN2. There are three NBA playoff games, and three NHL playoff games, including Boston at Toronto at 7 on NBC Sports Network.

Analysis

Lightning's sad sweep again underscores why being the best team in the NHL is the worst

Tampa Bay is the first Presidents' Trophy team to be swept in the first round.

By Isabelle Khurshudyan · Read more

Analysis

'It's playoff hockey': Alex Ovechkin showing he is again all in for Stanley Cup pursuit

From blocked shots to backchecks to fisticuffs, the Capitals captain is showing he wants nothing more than a second title.

By Isabelle Khurshudyan · Read more

Alan May, UFC and Andrei Svechnikov's brother react to Alex Ovechkin's knockout blows

May said he doesn't expect the Hurricanes to retaliate for the fight that knocked Svechnikov out of Game 3.

By Scott Allen · Read more

Postseason savvy keeps Capitals from pressing the panic button after Game 3 drubbing

"[Monday] was a little step back for us and now we have to take a step forward the next game," center Lars Eller said. "We know what we're capable of."

By Samantha Pell · Read more

Analysis

Anthony Rendon is on fire, but extension talks with the Nationals have yet to heat up

The Nationals have to decide — quickly — how much they value Rendon, how they view him compared with Nolan Arenado, how much they are willing to spend to keep this homegrown talent at home.

By Jesse Dougherty · Read more