I do NOT believe that the "Players do not care". I am sure they are more devastated they we are. I don't see any tarnish of the Cup or fat and happy players. However, we should have won this series. Caps simply did not put forth the effort they did last year (and not that I think that is possible ALL the time). I don't think it was intent or lack of desire, just didn't/couldn't muster the effort needed to win. Maybe it's purely fatigue, maybe coaching, maybe just the couple key guys lost. Lots of little chances here and there where games or series are decided. Last year the effort/hunger was more evident and we overcame (or got the luck) to make the difference multiple times. How many times were we "almost" eliminated last year? How many OT games did we win that could have gone the other way? How many game saving saves were made, and lucky bounces went our way? How many different guys (who normally do not), made a HUGE difference last year? The Caps were magical in the playoffs last year. For the most part, that was missing this year. If Kuzy had been 10% better and Vranna had scored only ONE goal, then.....If only....BUT....blah, blah, blah.
Last night we had a few chances in OT to win it. Wilson "almost" put one in, but it was swept away. Vranna hit the post, etc. I hated the whole OT, because I felt it was inevitable that the Canes would eventually score. I just hoped we would get a bounce and score first. Maybe that's just years of Cap fandom bias, but I just didn't feel we had it last night or this year. The Canes outworked us in OT. The Caps looked like they were just hanging on....like they were playing for a tie. They simply looked gassed, like they had nothing left...and maybe that was simply true. I kept thinking that MAYBE we'd get a bounce, but if we won, how tired and spent we would be for a game Friday, and what a miserable showing that would be.
Caps spent SO much time in our own zone not being able to clear the puck. So many icing calls. They just couldn't get it together. Canes got some bounces and took advantage. They wore us down and kept playing and playing and playing, and eventually the puck went in for them. Congrats to the Canes, long time coming for them.
Disappointing for and disappointed in the Caps, but also not surprised. I have never felt like we "had it" this year. Too many little weaknesses to overcome for the grand prize. Kempney was catostrophic, Oshie was probably the last nail in the coffin. New head coach was definitely a question mark. I was not /am not bitter, just a somewhat realistic. Maybe it hurts less this year cause I felt it coming or maybe cause we did win the ultimate prize last year. The Caps used up all their stores of lucky bounces and hockey Gods debt last year. They had the magic last year.
Better luck next year (how long have we been saying that as Cap fans
)
Oh, and ...they changed the chant last night after the game....from "Back to Back" to "Back to Golf"
Go Caps...
[size=78%](next year)[/size]
