Re-read this thread this morning while listening to sports talk radio re: last night's game.
Found myself as irritated this morning as I was last night with 1) the pre-game circus (feel more aligned with hockey 'purists' than casual fans in this regard because one of the reasons I have come to enjoy hockey is that it been more successful at keeping Hollywood, pop culture/music/ American 'celebrities' and politics away from the sport than, for example, basketball and football), 2) talking head 'reporters' and broadcasters gushing this morning about the Renaissance festival theatrics that 'makes Vegas, Vegas', and 3) officiating during the actual hockey game.
And not to be too sour about it, but am I the only one weary of the fairy tale Vegas story? I get it....history making season, overachieving misfits. Sigh. The Capitals' story never seems to warrant as much air time as other teams, no matter what and this year, there IS a story worth telling on our side, too. I start grinding my teeth when announcers/NBC/media describe Washington as if they are (sorry to repeat myself), the 'other team' who just happens to be skating around on the ice at the same time that the other, favored team is playing spectacular hockey.
Maybe with Game 2, the game can just be the game. Loved Braden Holtby doing his best to make up for defensive mistakes last night, loved TJ Oshie quietly taking lots of abuse (no calls there, either) throughout the game, loved the red-shirted fans in Vegas, and loved watching the tons of fans at the watch party in DC.
Wished we could have pushed the Knights away from our goal more often...I saw too many gray jerseys standing and waiting alone for rebounds with no defenseman pushing him away. Wish our passes were better trying to come up the ice, too.
Hope we correct what is correctable and play angry (but smart) in Game 2. Go CAPS!!!