Originally posted by sonickteam4:
fact away my friend. how are the Caps trying to be the Penguins and the bigger question is, why?
For starters...
Why? Since 1991 the Pens have beaten the Caps SIX times in playoff series - 2 times on their way to Stanley Cup championships.
These series wins have often occurred in stunning & heartbreaking fashion:
*Twice coming back from down 1 game to 3
*Once overcoming a 0-2 mark
*2 over-time wins during that span including the epic 6 1/2 hr game & the series ending Gonchar cough up.
The Pens have been the hurdle the Caps have been unable to overcome in their own quest to win a Cup. Losing to Pitt is almost ritualistic.
How? So if you can't beat - join 'em or at least try to duplicate what is working for them.
from Pro Ice Hockey:
"Plenty of NHL franchises spend more stupidly and recklessly than the Capitals. But the current Washington team is defined by one fat, regrettable contract. In July of 2001, Jaromir Jagr was scooped up from the Penguins and handed a seven-year, $77-million deal. A year after Jagr arrived, Robert Lang was signed (also from the Penguins.)
The team envisioned them filling nets and seats, and spoke confidently of a ??three-year plan? to win the Stanley Cup.
Like many such plans, this one has been abandoned early. The Capitals win more than they lose, but are renowned for their uninspired play...and the quest for glory has been usurped by a campaign to get the payroll under control."