Capitals Win 12th in a Row, DC Freezes Over

I remember my first pro sports experience as a youngster.  I was 4 or 5 years old and I went and saw the Washington Capitals play the LA Kings at Capital Centre.  My entire family went thanks to my aunt's connection with the Kings. There must have been at least 100 other people at the game.  It was the franchise's second year of existence; they won 11 games the entire season. 

They got better in the 80s making the playoffs 14-straight times. Unfortunately the playoffs would always end with epic heart break.  Remember the opening round of the playoffs in 1987? Caps up 3-1 in series on the NY Islanders, who rally to force a Game 7.  It was no ordinary Game 7, it would be known as the infamous Easter Epic that finally ended at 1:56 am on Easter Sunday. The Capitals despite dominating most of the game, outshooting the Islanders 75–52 lose in overtime when Pat LaFontaine scored for the Islanders.

I remember fans saying the day the Caps win a Stanley Cup, hell will freeze over.  We are not there quite yet, but DC is certainly freezing over again this weekend.  The Caps are a breath of fresh air in a pro sports town where we have seen a lot of losers and I'm not even talking about the Politicians.  I mean another overhyped Skins team did not deliver and the best Wizards roster in decades is well...AWFUL.  (A Positive side note on the snow coming.  It could very well keep the Wizards from getting back in time to lose again on the home floor Saturday night.) 

Unfortunately it is still a long, long, journey to the Stanley Cup Finals, let alone hoisting the Cup.  In two weeks the red hot Caps will take a break with the rest of the league for the Winter Olympics.  The Caps best players though will not be resting, but representing their respective countries.  How will it effect the season?  No one knows and there are still questions with the defense and goaltending that may need to be addressed by the trade deadline.  Oh and I have yet to mention the f-ing Penguins likely standing in the way like they have some many other times? 

That still won't stop me from expecting the best from this team.  They have the best player in the world sorry Sid in Alex Ovechkin, young stars like Nicholas Backstrom, Alex Semin, and veteran Mike Knuble has been a great fit, thanks Flyers.  Anyway, too many positives to worry about the possible pitfalls, so for now enjoy the ride and the snow in New Hockey Town USA.