Counting on a Miracle

Jose Theodore is one of the reasons the Caps are in danger of getting eliminated in the First Round, extending their drought to 12 years without a First Round series win (Courtesy Photo)

The 2008-09 season. This was supposed to be THE season. We signed a veteran goaltender in Jose Theodore, we re-signed Sergei Federov and we had the reigning MVP of the entire league. During the regular season, the Capitals did what they needed, winning their second straight Southeast Division crown and grabbing the #2 seed out from under the New Jersey Devils. The matchup? #2 Washington Vs. #7 New York Rangers. Uh oh.

This was certainly not the same Ranger team the Caps went 3-0-1 against in the regular season. With moves at the trade deadline and grabbing new head coach John Tortorella, the Rangers are a re-energized team and now hold the Capitals on the brink of sending them packing in the first round yet again.

The past 12 years haven't been kind for the Caps. Here's a short history:

1997-98: Eastern Conference Champions! Stanley Cup Finals loss to Detroit 4 games to 0.

1998-99: Finished in 3rd place of the new Southeast Division. No Playoffs.

1999-2000: Win Southeast Division. Lose to Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1 of the Playoffs 4 games to 2.

00-01: Win second straight Southeast Division. Lose to Pittsburgh Penguins again 3 games to 2. (start of 5 game first round)

01-02: Get Jaromir Jagr. Still don't make the playoffs.

02-03: Finish in 2nd place in the Southeast. Lose to Tampa Bay Lightning 4 games to 2 in Round 1. (Best of 7 back in first round.)

03-04: Caps trade away Steve Konowalchuk, Peter Bondra, Sergei Gonchar and Jaromir Jagr and start from scratch. Finish dead last. No playoffs.

04-05: NHL LOCKOUT. NO SEASON.

05-06: Alexander Ovechkin makes season debut along with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. Caps finish in last place. No playoffs.

06-07: Caps still struggle. Finish in last place yet again. No Playoffs.

07:08: Caps add Niklas Backstrom and Mike Green to the mix. Southeast Division Champions! Ousted in Round 1 - 4 games to 3 by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Present 2008-09: Southeast Champions for the second straight season. Down 3 games to 1 in Best of 7 against the New York Rangers.

The Capitals just don't seem to get it. Every year it is the same. They have a home game, they win from the energy and excitement of the crowd pushing them. They go on the road and win to take away momentum. Then they fizzle out. Granted Lundquvist has been stellar but rookie Simeon Varlamov has matched that. The only problem is Lundqvist has the edge. Winning Game 1: 4-2, Game 2: 1-0 and Game 4: 2-1, the Capitals are in trouble.

To me, they don't have the burning desire or edge they need to bury this team. They seem so lackadaisical and just not caring if they win or not. It's frustrating as a fan and I am sure it's even more frustrating to the players. It will take a modern day miracle for the Capitals to come back and win the series. I am hoping it happens but it sure doesn't look like it. My updated prediction is the Caps win game 5 but lose game 6, insuring the Rangers going to the second round.

All you Caps fans out there, please pray for a miracle!