I watched the Capitals play the Sens tonight. From the drop of the puck, it was an exciting game...lots of end to end action, and pretty physical too. Of course, both teams are in playoff spots right now, the Caps standing third in the Eastern Conference and the Sens in sixth. The Caps won 5 - 2, with Nicklas Backstrom scoring two goals (his 16th and 17th on the year), and Ovechkin netting his 27th goal and first as Caps Captain!
After that game, I watched (kinda) the Jackets take on the Oilers. The game pitted the 14th place Western Conference team versus the 15th. I did not expect a lot of scoring, rather a chippy, desparate game. Dreger from TSN twitted that he expected Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock to be fired if they lost versus the Oilers. Well, Hitch is safe for another day, with his boys picking up the win 4 -2. It was the Jackets first road win since November 19th (stat thanks to Gene Principe on Sportsnet)
Now.....It was downright painful watching the Oilers. As I watched, one thing became crystal clear...Man, I'm glad I got out when I did. It is such a difference cheering for a team that expect themselves to win every night (the Caps). They are exciting to watch. They have fun on the ice and to a man, their love of the game resonates.
Granted, the Oilers do not have the best player in the world on their roster but come on...in the NHL, with the world's best coaches you'd think every game would be full of beautiful hockey (to borrow a phrase from Ovi).
See, this is what happens with 30 teams in the NHL. You have the Capitals, who have a player in Ovechkin whose love of the game radiates and seeps into the attitude and play of his teammates. And then you have other teams, like the Oil, with records of 16 - 23 - 5, who, despite their payrolls, cannot put together a team that can string together three consecutive wins...who disappoint their fans almost every game out. In fact, at tonight's gane, with seconds winding down on the clock, the Edmonton crowd tonight started to boo their Oilers. It was shocking! But that's what happens when the product on the ice does not match the inflated ticket prices. (That is another blog topic)
Anyway, I am glad I am not a die hard Oilers fan anymore. I will still watch them from time to time, obviously, but I am happy that I got out when I did. Being part of a winning team (Caps) is something that I have not experienced in almost 20 years, since the end of the Oilers glory years.
About Me
- queen of hockey
- I live in Calgary, Alberta CANADA...home of the NHL's Flames and the WHL's Hitmen. I love watching hockey. My favorite player is Alexander Ovechkin, followed closely by Nicklas Bäckström. Then there's my goalies Henrik Lundqvist, and Carey Price. I also like watching the dynamic duo of Toews and Kane. I like watching the Caps, Rangers, Habs, Hawks, and Canucks. But I'll watch anyone play anyone, at any time. I love the game that much. In my limited spare time, I am learning Swedish. I've actually been taking lessons since the NHL lockout in 2004. So, it stands to reason that I pay extra close attention to Swedish players/prospects. Pretty much the only time I'm not thinking hockey is when I'm sleeping, or when I'm at my boxing club.
