Washington Capitals: From Labour Day to Today

You don't wear white after labour day so the Washington Capitals got decked out in red as it prepared for the season in September.  It appeared to be the wrong decision as the team got off to a lackluster start.  

Things improved little by October when the biggest scare for Halloween was not the ghosts, goblins or politicians traipsing about the streets of Washington but the team's position in the division.  Despite some flashes of brilliance, this wasn't where the Caps wanted to be as the fall weather moved in.   

So, at a time when dinner tables across the US were cluttered with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, Washington was plotting and scheming for what would be the greatest comeback in the team's history.  

Sitting last in the division, the team was certainly down but not out, especially with Alexander Ovechkin chomping at the bit, a guy with heart and determination to spare, a young man who's enthusiasm for the game is unparallelled. 

Everything wasn't all pumpkin pie and ice cream, though.  Thanksgiving day started with the firing of coach Glen Hanlon, replaced by Bruce Boudreau.  He brought an aggressive style of play, focusing on great offense and solid defense.

Still, as Santa prepared to deliver toys to all the boys and girls across the globe, Washington was still the basement dweller in Southeast.  Unbeknown to everyone but, perhaps, the Caps themselves, a Christmas miracle was about to begin.

Just one week after the Epiphany, Washington had one of its own, signing Ovechkin to a 13-year, 124-million dollar contract extension.  It not only secured Ovechkin's position within the organization, it may have just secured the team's place in history or, at the very least, the '07-'08 season. 

Come February, when a young man's fancy turns to love, Caps GM George McPhee passed a note to Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey, saying he thought goalie Cristobal Huet was dreamy.  A few days later, Huet was wearing Washington's sweater and a love affair began, with Huet working hard to impress his new beau.

Things continued to progress right up until St. Patrick's day when the league was green with envy at the play of Ovechkin and his boys and the Capitals were drunk on their own success.  

With the arrival of Easter, as children hunted for pastel-colored Easter eggs, the Caps were on the prowl for a playoff spot, a feat that was almost unthinkable a few months back.  Thanks to the stellar play of Ovechkin, who was consistently searching for the back of the net and finding it 65 times by the time all was said and done, all that stood in the way of the team's goal was a few hurricanes in Carolina.

As everybody knows, though, hurricane season doesn't begin until June and Carolina blew itself out of the playoff picture leaving nothing but the Capitals to bask in the glory of the job well done. 

With Memorial Day on the way, the Caps are hoping for a memorable run during the post-season so that by the time Independence Day roles in, Washington won't only be celebrating the red, white and blue of the American flag but of its hockey team as well.  

After that, it's a whole New Year.