How Youth Killed the Washington Capitals

Being a new hockey enthusiast, every part of me wants to believe that the Washington Capitals will mount up the comeback caravan, and take this thing in Game Seven.

But I’ve been protected by cynicism for far longer than I have been elated by hope when it comes to area sports, and the nagging feeling that the Caps won’t defeat the Penguins to advance to the Eastern Conference finals is one that comes with the usual territory of supporting D.C. area sports.

A territory not easily navigated by the youthful and inexperienced.

The same thing that makes the Capitals an exciting team to watch in the playoffs—a youthful exuberance with a twinge of “never say die,” is the same thing that regular kills them in games that separate champions and contenders.

The Caps are good at erasing 3-0 deficits because  it clicks that playing well means playing like there’s nothing to lose—in games where there is everything to lose.

This same freedom that allows Alex Ovechkin to be the best player in the NHL, the same freedom that earned the Caps a second seed in the Eastern Conference, shrinks quickly when they face the Big E—expectations.

The moment they are expected to win and win convincingly, is the same moment that folds them up like sheets folded for mom on Mother’s Day.

It’s why they dig the big holes they are so good at clawing their way out of. It’s why they can’t hold a 2-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Caps don’t do well with expectations. Immaturity and inexperience lead to mistakes, lapses, and a “we’ll get em’ next time” attitude.

The Caps are clearly a better team than the Penguins, but they can’t adapt to playing an opponent bigger, faster and stronger than any opponent they will face in the remainder of their time in this year’s playoffs.

Expectations.