Washington Capitals Eliminating Postseason “Choke” Label
The Washington Capitals showed on Monday night they are the real deal and their success during the regular season was no fluke.
After both an emotional scene and a pair of ugly incidents on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the Capitals showed they are ready to make a deep run in the NHL playoffs this season.
The Capitals routed the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1 to take a 3-0 lead in their best of seven opening round series.
Washington’s goal entering this postseason was to end their reputation as choke artists during the playoffs. Thus far, they have played just three games, but the Capitals are proving the success they enjoyed during the just ended regular season was not a fluke.
In 26 appearances during the postseason, this is the first time Washington has lead any series 3-0. Washington however will not declare the series won just yet.
Just a few minutes after the team’s on Monday, they were already discussing Game 4 and what they needed to do to eliminate the Flyers on Wednesday.
Last season the Capitals were eliminated during the second round of the playoffs. Washington has not reached the finals of the Eastern Conference since 1998.
Since that time, the Capitals have not even made it past the second round during 10 trips to the postseason.
However, things appear different this season. The team ended up with 120 points during the regular season, which won them the President’s Trophy for the most points of any NHL team.
Washington’s captain Alex Ovechkin set a franchise record Monday for career postseason points with 74. He surpassed the previous record of 72 set by Dale Hunter. On the night, Ovechkin scored twice and assisted on another goal.
As Washington was routing the Flyers late in the game on Monday. Philadelphia attempted to make a point and things got quite ugly in the ice as well as the stands.
A huge fight broke out on the ice but was quickly broken up by the referees and linesmen. However, fans started throwing free bracelets onto the ice and the Flyers were given a bench minor for delay of game.
Just six seasons again the Flyers were able to erase a deficit of three games to beat Boston in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference. However, this season will be a much bigger task as Washington is much stronger than then 2010 Bruins were.
