Let's start by talking about the Caps HUGE (understatement) win last night against the Florida Panthers. The Caps came in trailing the Panthers by 4 points in the standings with 2 games to play. A loss would have meant a division crown for the first time in Florida's history and would have placed an unbelievable amount of pressure on the Caps as they head to NY to tackle one of the best teams in the league in their season finale on Saturday. Fortunately, the Caps dug deep and finally played a big game like it was, well, a big game. Time and time again this season, DC has entered big matchups (last week against the Sabres...) and tanked. This time, they showed up and demonstrated why they could be a real playoff contender this year. For Caps fans, this season has been a trial... so much talent... so many expectations... and not nearly the results. After 3 straight years of cruising into the playoffs and competing for the best record in the NHL, the Caps are came down the stretch clinging to their post season life by a thread. Last night was the first time in a very long time that they rose to the occasion and took care of business. Could this be a blessing in disguise? All the seasons of 100+ points and runaway division titles have yielded only 2 trips passed the first round. Perhaps having to fight for a playoff spot and really appreciating the fact that they are in will spark a greater desire to succeed this spring. So what now? Saturday, they travel to NY and will play another very meaningful regular season game. A win and a regulation Florida loss would bring a 5th straight division crown to DC (not to mention the 3rd seed as opposed to the 8th seed). A loss will lock them into the 8th playoff spot and force them to hit the road for playoffs facing the same opponent that they will tomorrow... the New York Rangers. Over the past 4 seasons, the Caps have faced the Rangers in the playoffs twice, each time holding a home ice advantage. They won both of the series including a runaway series win last year. It's obvious that the Rangers would love to exact revenge for their early playoff exits with a statement series win against the Caps and would have 4 home games to get it done. There is something to be said for facing an opponent that you've seen in the playoffs before, but would a 3rd Ranger defeat be too much to ask from a team that has struggled to perform consistently this season? The Caps MUST approach tomorrow's game as their first playoff game. If Florida manages to earn at least a point in their matchup with Carolina tomorrow, the Caps will be set to play 3 games in a row at Madison Square Garden. This means that Saturday could very realistically be a dress rehearsal for the playoffs. If the Panthers manage to continue their slide and lose to the Canes, the Caps will be playing for home ice in round one. A quick glance at the team's home and road records shows what a big advantage this could be for DC. While the playoff berth is locked in, this game could have as much of an impact on the Caps future as their win on Thursday night. I, for one, am looking forward to a playoff preview... Let's just hope the Caps are as excited and ready to play as all of us are to watch them.
And for the Orioles? What can we say about the Orioles? 1997 probably says enough... That was the last time the Orioles finished a season with more than 81 wins. At this point, the Baltimore faithful don't even need a playoff berth to get excited... Simply winning more games than they lose would be a huge victory for the team and a fan base that has been worn this by a decade and a half of wasted hope. The O's managed to begin the 2012 season with a win on Friday thanks in most part t o a stellar day by Nick Markakis. Markakis is returning for abdominal surgery that had many of wondering what to expect from the left fielder. I think it's safe to say that Nick put our minds at ease. I know the season is only a game old, but any spark of hope is worth holding on to. We all watched in 2010 when Buck Showalter took the helm and lead the team to their strongest finish in years. That was followed up by a poor showing in 2011, punctuated by injuries and some of the worst pitching that Baltimore has put on the field. Maybe 2012 is the year that the pitching turns the corner and the team plays an entire season like that 2010 finish. The lineup is deep and the defense is solid... but the question mark is standing on the pitching rubber and in the bullpen. Here's to hoping the young arms rise to the occasion and finally give us something to cheer for once the memory of opening day fades and the hot Maryland summer arrives.
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