Ode to the Capitals

Mike Green was just one of the many problems the Capitals had this postseason

The Stanley Cup Conference finals are underway with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins on a collision course for a second straight year. Back in round 2, the Washington Capitals did what they do best: choke against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1992, 1995 and 1996, the Penguins would be down 2-0 or 3-1 only to come back and win those series. Add 2009 to the list. The Capitals were flying high winning the first two games and going up 2-0. The next three games went to the Penguins with a chance for them to close it out in Game 6. The Caps won on a faceoff and the tables had turned once more. Only this time, the Caps didn't even bother to show up for Game 7.

A 6-2 ripping of the Capitals gave the Penguins their second straight trip to the Eastern Conference Finals to play the Carolina Hurricanes. What can the Capitals learn from all this? Well for starters you gotta show up for Game 7. Not showing up only proved that they were mentally and physically drained or that they thought the game was in the bag. Did the breakway chance for Ovechkin change the game? Yes because Fleury stopped it giving the Pens momentum. Here are the keys to why the Caps got the second round exit:

• Where have you gone Mike Green? - Mike Green was the biggest flop of the playoffs. The young defenseman rarely shot on goal and looked lost half the time. Where was the Defenseman that scored 30+ goals this season and was a front runner for the Norris? I would be surprised if he wins it now.
  
  
• Goaltending Meltdown - Simeon Varlamov, the rookie goalie sensation that took the playoffs by storm, turned human in the series against the Penguins. With Game 1 and 2 masterpieces, games 5-7 showed how vulnerable he was as he gave up 12 goals and was pulled in game 7 after falling behind 4-0. Varlamov is good but questions abound this goalie as to whether he can carry this team next season in net.
  
  
• The Invisible Alexander Semin and Niklas Backstrom - They showed up from time to time but the dynamic russian and swede were MIA for much of the series. Semin has firepower and Backstrom can deliver a sharp pass when needed but those skills were snuffed out by the Pens.
  
  
• Defense? - The Capitals achillies heel in this entire playoff run was their defense. You can blame Mike Green, Tom Poti and Brian Pothier for not being their best. If the Caps want to succeed, they need more solid defenseman and firepower at center. Federov only has 1-2 great seasons left so the Caps need a veteran to step it up.
  

This was a great season to be a Caps fan. Most points in franchise history, we finally got the first round monkey off our backs and the Verizon Center sold out for over 25 games! Season tickets are sold out and I hope the fans ROCK THE RED for many years to come and help bring home the Stanley Cup. Until October, the Caps got a lot of work to get done. C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!