Presidents' Trophy "Curse" Strikes Again?
by Bob Wage on Apr 29, 2010 12:59 AM EDT
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The Washington Capitals were deemed the best team in the NHL. They finished the regular season with the most wins, earned the most points, and deservedly won the Presidents' Trophy for their regular season accomplishments. The Caps were certainly favored to win the East, if not win the whole enchilada this postseason. But what did all that end up meaning in the grand scheme of things during the playoffs?
Absolutely nothing.
The Montreal Canadiens succeeded doing what most experts and fans felt they could never do, defeat the Caps in their best of seven series.
We could talk about some of the factors behind the "Capital Meltdown." The great goaltending of Jaroslav Halak. The willingness of the Habs to attempt to block every shot imaginable. The ineffectiveness of Washington's powerplay. The inability of the Caps' stars to make key plays. The fact that previously used and abused coach Jacques Martin, seriously out-coached his counterpart, Bruce Boudreau.
The Washington fanbase and brass can and will analyze what went wrong all summer long, but this is not the first time a Presidents' Trophy winner has had a premature exit in the postseason. As a matter of fact, usually the team holding the Trophy goes down in flames in the playoffs much sooner than most expect.
Since the inception of the Trophy presentation in 1985-86, only 7 of 25 winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. For what it's worth, each of those seven Cup winning teams earned fewer than the 121 points the Capitals accumulated this past year.
Only two clubs earned more than 121 points in those 25 years. Detroit had 124 in 2005-06 and they were eliminated in the opening round by the 8th seeded, Edmonton Oilers. Detroit earned 131 in 1995-96 and lost to Colorado in the Conference Finals.
Instead of pointing fingers and talking about who should go and who should stay in the Nation's Capital, perhaps time should be spent analyzing why it's so difficult for teams to do well in the playoffs after running away with things in the regular season?
Do teams get complacent because they play so many meaningless games at the end of the season? Do their opponents have the edge because they play pressure packed games right up until the final day? Is leadership a problem, or is it experience?
After having such a dominating regular season, one wouldn't think there is too much wrong in DC. But still, this is not the first postseason meltdown for these Caps and obviously some adjustments need to be made.
It will be a very interesting offseason in Washington and a much longer one than many of their fans had originally anticipated. But I would not expect them to re-invent the wheel in our Capital City. Perhaps tighten a few loose spokes?
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The only one I feel sorry for is Scottie Walker. He was so psyched on trade day to go help a team try and win the cup. He ends up sitting and watching the entire series until game 7 when his team is eliminated. I feel really bad for him. The rest of it I couldn’t have scripted any better…
I put this in the other thread also, but do you think this early upset after winning the President Trophy combined with last year’s upset in the 2nd round will affect the contract negotiations with Backstrom? I could see them easily wanting a little wiggle room to alter the team and Backstrom stands to make $5-7 million a year. They need to fill a lot of gaps with about $20 million and Cap space and may not have the cash to throw 1/3 of that to one player. Anyone else think so?
Backstrom will get his money. Semin will probably be shopped, not necessarily moved, but definitely shopped. And the rest of the free agents; some will be resigned and probably a lot of Bears will come up to fill out the bottom 6. They’ll still be a very good team, but you are right; they need to alter their lineup. IMO Mike Green was once again bad in the playoffs. For a two-time Norris finalist, he doesn’t handle playoff pressure very well at all.
On another note; I think Joe Corvo should sign with NJ this offseason. I think he could be helpful with their PP and is not completely horrible in his own end.
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I think they will keep Backstrom no matter what. I don’t see him as being part of any problem.
Semin on the other hand is a model of inconsistency and may have worn out his welcome.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I wonder if Green will survive it. Given that Carlson may already be better all-around (with upside), they will eventually have to make a long-term decision on those two — why not now when Green has good value?
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 29, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I certainly think they will resign Backstrom, but I also think they will be very wary to shell out $7 million and possibly hamstring themselves Cap wise going into next season. They have to resign RFA’s Eric Fehr, Boyd Gordon, Tomas Fleischmann, and Jeff Schultz. Those are key guys for the Capitals, they were the guys scoring goals while Montreal concentrated on putting pressure on the Stars. Jeff Schultz led the whole NHL in plus/minus with a +50. I doubt they could afford to lose them and all together they could be about $10 million, add in Backstrom’s $7 million and they have almost no Cap space to make any changes.
They can’t be 100% happy with their team after two early exits two years in a row. I agree Semin is much more likely to be shipped off, possibly even Mike Green if they could get a Star player back. If I were their GM I’d be upset, their team is too easily picked apart. Semin, Ovechkin, and Green were all effectively shut down by Montreal.
Semin would get a nice return too. I wonder what they’ll do about goaltending? Varly can’t be blamed for the series, but certainly didn’t make things easier.
They’ve got Varlamov and Neuvirth … they’re OK in net, imo.
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 29, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they trade semin for picks, they cant afford to take any salary back. But Semin, with no goals in his last 14 playoff games, probably hurt his value a little.
That’s what I’d do … he’d be a good fit on a contender with a little cap room. They could see if he works with their team, if not let him walk/trade him at next year’s deadline.
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 29, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think they’re OK in net, he gave up 2 on 16 shots last night and 3 on 22 in game 6. The first goal last night he had no chance but the second Moore could have parked a car in the upper part of the blocker side, Moore’s no goal scorer and M.Greene put Varly in a bad, but he needs to make a save there.
To each their own. I’ve seen enough good out of him to think he’s going to be just fine. He just turned 22 two days ago.
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 29, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Detroit has owned the Presidents trophy. They have won the cup 1/3 of the time they have won the trophy. Since the award has been given they have 5 appearances and 4 cups. 2 with and 2 without. Seems the award means nothing as it doesn’t change Detroits numbers in anyway.
I would pose that it’s more of a fluke for any other team. I don’t believe any other team has won it more than twice so numbers for other than Detroit are not there. That said, if no other team can perform at that level consistantly, it would be a fluke to win the Presidents and the Cup.
Canes are something of an example. 02 pure unaltered fluke they were in contention for the Cup. 06 when they won, was it a fluke or not? I’d say the lack of any follow up lends itself to lightning in a jar.
So it’s not a curse, it’s a blessing. Be the best team in the league more than twice in 25 yrs and string together some consistancy and you will win some Cups.
The Rangers are 50% in wins.
Flames are 50%.
Oilers are 50%.
Stars are 50%
and so are the Avs.
Just win it more than once and you appear to be gauranteed a Cup win. That ain’t a curse, it’s a blessing to me. 16 of the 25 President Trophy years were won by a team with at least one Cup win in the sdame period.
A
'09-'10 needed more than a spoonful of sugar, felt like a broken glass and battery acid suppository.
Young hockey players, the future, the answer. Learn it, then live it.
I too
felt bad for scotty as well…but on a plus side at least the caps got into the playoffs…now for an added bonus…how about the Rats somehow out play the Bears and win their next 4 …and leave the bears to run off and go to sleep for the summer…but they have to win tonight first huh ? get some rest Bob…you earned it sir…
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
Anybody find it curious how Martin has gone from schlepp to hero? Martin was getting some heat and critisism and now is being propped up. Budreau on the other hand is being malaigned.
I am not a real believer in a coach having that type of impact, good or bad, like that. They can come in and change things around with a system. Like Budr. did not too long ago. A coach can also change a game or two with good plays, smart time outs and a change in the system. I would say no coach has a sweeping over powering impact play to play, game to game. Even Bowman had to have a solid team under him and let his sytem carry the minute to minute play.
I think the craps, crapped out. The teams leaders didn’t show up. Not the coaches fault. If ao isn’t clicking what does a coach do? No team has a back up to guy like that.
Martin on the other hand has a team that dove head long into his system and played for all they were worth. They also had a goalie play out of his mind (anyone remember a kid named Ward a few years back?).
I’d say look to ovenchicken as the choke meister. Guy is a dynamic and even a great player, but his on ice performance in PO games isn’t that impressive. I’d also re-state what I have said many times before. The craps have limited depth. Shut down just a couple players and the team crumbles. Not unlike the Canes and shutting down Staal. Untill we got rid of the old guys and gained some depth we got whacked all the time with ease.
The craps are not Cup contenders, never have been and until they get a deeper roster they never will be more than a division monster.
A
'09-'10 needed more than a spoonful of sugar, felt like a broken glass and battery acid suppository.
Young hockey players, the future, the answer. Learn it, then live it.
Ovenchicken….choke meister
Does that make him the chicken choking master?
A
'09-'10 needed more than a spoonful of sugar, felt like a broken glass and battery acid suppository.
Young hockey players, the future, the answer. Learn it, then live it.
Talent vs. Desire
In the regular season, talent wins games. In the playoffs, while talent is still important, those other hockey virtues like passion and courage and desire take on added importance. While the Caps with Ovie, Green, et al. certainly had the talent edge in this series, Montreal was the clear winner on the passion/courage/desire side of things. Oh yea, great goaltending may have had something to do with it too.
I was away from any access to any kind of media (TV, radio, internet) except twitter (how did I ever live without it?) until the last few minutes of last night’s game, when I turned into the radio to hear the Caps score late and hear the Habs hold on. I am simply STUNNED.
Mr. LTD had an interesting comment, he was watching the game and when I talked to him on the phone afterwards, he said that with the Caps down 1-0 the fans were basically sitting on their hands in the arena like the game was already over. He said if that was us we’d have been standing and screaming our heads off.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I said the same thing last night...
during the game thread…for a game 7 only being down by 1….it was FLATLINE in there. The team and fans for that matter don’t seem to know how to handle adversity and I do think it is because the regular season comes so easy to them (they are a talented team, no doubt)…the pressure is more than they can handle and they don’t seem to know where to dig and find desire and fight .
If it was the Canes…HELL YEAH…we would have been blowing the roof off of that joint. We sounded louder on TV in last home game this season and here we were with a losing record and not going to the playoffs…but that is the case…OUR TEAM & FANS…have had to dig and fight for it so many times that we do know defeat until 10 minutes AFTER the last horn sound has been blown! PROUD TO BE A CANIAC!!
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
When I noticed it (the lack of support from the fans) was when the Caps finally scored late in the 3rd to cut the lead to 2-1. The fans and the bench [there was minimal reaction from the team] had already given up. It was like the score was 10-1 and that one goal they’d just scored was painful and futile. Almost no emotional boost from that. So strange. I just don’t get it.
Another local tweeter said during the handshake that half the fans were cheering and the other half booing. No wonder Pothier likes it here.
Also saw, after the handshake line, when Ovie wanted the team to stay out a moment for a stick salute to the fans, only 9 players obliged. The local guy tweeting thought that was sad.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 29, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Go Habs!
I’d have to say that Montreal reminded me a lot of the Canes during their 2006 run to the cup. Halak, like Ward, was working miracles in front of the net but he also had help from the team in front of him. They were blocking shots as much as possible. Montreal played like the Canes did. They knew they might not win the series, but they weren’t going to give up until the final horn sounded. As for the fans, I think the attitude of the team carries over to the fans. The Canes aren’t willing to give up or give in, so the Caniacs aren’t going to give up on them either and the team appreciates that.
I’m really hoping the Canadiens can keep this going for the rest of the series; I’d love to see anybody but Detroit and Pitts in the finals for a change.
With Nabokov in SJ typically collapsing in the big games, the entire Russian team falling apart in the big game, the Caps being led by Russians who fall apart in big games, and Russians like Filatov who cry and run home when they’re told they gotta earn it, Im beginning to think the Russians have no heart and should be stayed away from. Even Kovalchuk cant get passed the first round. Too many chiefs and not enough indians.
Blanket statement much??
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Not ALL Russians, guys like Datsyuk (even though being drafted 171 overall typically has a humbling effect) and Malkin may be slumping right now, but he definately wasnt slumping in last years playoffs, just that what Im noticing has me questioning the heart of the majority of the top end Russian players. Caps, or well, most anyone laughs when I tell ’em I wouldnt trade Staal for Ovie right now, and truth be told I wouldnt. Staals a good leader in playoff time, and gets the best of guys like Chara. Ovie talks shit to Halak and then gets straight up stonewalled and shut down by guys like Georges. Something to be said for karma, and being a cocky douche.
Walker was my favorite player while in Carolina
That being said….I am officially satisfied with the season now. The Cap’s first round boot is the apex for me. I can get no higher.
For me...
I liked watching Washington play. I am not a fan…but did hope they went far into the playoffs…much more so than Crosby and the Pens.
I kinda think Ovechkin is like a younger Peyton Manning (I know not the same sport). Manning could never win the big game…he was a choker when the real games came…in college and in the NFL (not my opinions but the public perception). I feel the same about Ovy…I don’t think he choked necessarily…but he didn’t dominate like people are used to seeing.
Oh well, I guess I am in a minority here in wishing the Caps had done more…
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
I agree with the comparison to the young Payton because he didn’t pull if off in the NCAA but, hey at least he has a SB ring to show for in his pro career and got into the big dance a couple of times…Ove doesn’t event have that.
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
Peyton has been in his league longer...
and is older…
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Poor Ovie… No Olympic Medal, No Stanley Cup, and more comparisons between him and Sidney Crosby as to whom is the better player. Sucks to be Ovie!
Live & Learn
This series was about goaltending, there’s no curse thing going on, if your goalie can’t make timely saves (2 nothing Moore goal) you’re going nowhere.
I dunno this series was about special teams to me. The Caps are a PP team. They use it to grab momentum when they need it and they use it to kill the will of their opponent. But their PP was rancid! 1 for 33, right? You don’t win a series against any seed with that type of PP.
On the flip side, Montreal were getting in front of shots and choking up shooting/passing lanes like no one’s business.
by wylde4canes on Apr 29, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Epic Series
This was quite an amazing series to read about and watch. I am not a huge Caps fan, but man if they didn’t have the cup for them to lose. It seems like they just fell into the mindset that it was theirs already and rolled back on their heels. Ovi is one person that comes to mind that just felt that he was playing for something he was owed, instead of working to get it. Not sure of your thoughts.
I agree partially, yet I think far too many people are failing to give Montreal enough credit. There D was beastly., There puck pressure was insane. So what % was lack of effort vs what % was defense pressure applied to the caps talent is debatable, but I feel far to many are applying far too high of a % to lack of effort with out thinking about the # of times that OV got the puck only to find two Montreal players within a foot of him going for the sweep or poke at the puck, or how often when a Cap player would get the puck and look for the passing lane, only to see two and three Habs staring back at them.
Bear players
will be sent back probably in time for tonights game 4 with the rats…and speaking of the rats THN had a story about the penalty box blues…
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33255-Around-The-AHL-Rats-drowning-in-the-box.html
I am personally going to be pulling for the rats tonight but i am going to be hoping against all hope that the Rats can and will win tonight.
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
I’m not sure if it’s a curse in the true sense of the word as much as it is a mindset. If you go through the regular season and dominate almost everyone you come in contact with, how do you not expect to do that in the playoffs? If you hear all over the place that the Cup is yours to lose, how do you not start believing your own hype? If you are playing the 8 seed and have a 3-1 series lead, how do you not assume that it’s only a matter of time before you clinch a second round spot?
Once you get caught up in your own hubris and feel that something is owed to you, you’re in trouble. Combine that with a lower seed who has nothing to lose and is working off of emotion and I think that’s where a lot of the President’s Trophy winners may shoot themselves in the foot.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Amen !!
even the best players and teams in the past showed great humility…not puffed up banty roosters…
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
by CaniacSteve on Apr 29, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Playoffs are a new season and the only value to finishing well is home ice for game 7. I disagree with “the Cup is yours to lose”, there’s 15 other teams that all have the same chance of winning. Last night was a big upset, but it was bound to happen, Washington had 2 major concerns coming into the playoffs: goaltending and team defense (worst in the NHL). Washington was built really well to do 1 thing: Win the President’s Trophy.
I’ll admit their goaltending was a concern and their defense is not great, but “worst in the NHL.” I think you might be going a bit overboard there. They were right in the middle of the league in Goals Against and Shots Against. Pittsburgh actually gave up more goals during the regular season than Washington.
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by PackPride17 on Apr 29, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I disagree with "the Cup is yours to lose", there’s 15 other teams that all have the same chance of winning. Last night was a big upset, but it was bound to happen,
You see that. I see that. Everyone on the outside sees that. But I think the players themselves get caught up in that mentality of certain games (and series) being just a formality. And that’s why you often see the President’s Trophy being the only trophy the team takes home at the end of the season: they know they’re the favorite and they let themselves believe that they are unbeatable.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
no secondary scoring
Everybody has to step it up in the playoffs
Caps Cap Space?
No pun intended…Does anyone know how the Caps stand in regard to the Salary Cap. I would assume they would have a hard time keeping all the talented forwards…Semin, Backstrom, Ovie and field a competitive team on defense…..Any thoughts Cory?
Also worth noting that they can toe this line for another couple years b/c they have Carlson and Alzner on D on the cheap. Carlson has two more years on his entry-level deal, Alzner one (and unless he breaks out huge next year, won’t get mega-cash after next year unless someone wants to make an RFA run at him based on potential)
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 29, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
They have about $18.5 million in Cap space for next season with 14 players signed. That is for 6 D, 7 Forwards, and Varlamov. Assuming Neuvirth is the backup, that’s $17.5 million in cap space.
They need to re-sign RFA key pieces Eric Fehr, Boyd Gordon, and Tomas Fleischmann at the very least at forward and Jeff Shultz on defense. Fleischmann and Fehr are key top-6 guys, Gordon is a key energy guy, and Shultz was the NHL leader in plus/minus at +50. Assuming they make an average of $2 million a piece (probably very conservative)… That’s $8 million which leaves $9.5 million or so in Cap Space. Then re-sign Backstrom at $6-7 million and that leaves about $2.5-3.5 million to play with.
Suffice it to say I really don’t think they could make a lot of changes without waving goodbye to Semin, Backstrom, or Green. That’s the reality of the Capped NHL, you can’t afford to have a $10 million, $7 million, and $6 million dollar forward.
First off, we need the cap number for next year first. You can see here that there are a lot of players that need deals (RFAs, mostly), but at least $20M in which to do those deals.
^ ^ this was a response to Mullett above … sry I popped it down here.
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 29, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks a Bunch
Cap brings parody….However with a good AHL team they can interchange some pieces and keep their run going…..Hopefully we can catch up with them….I like our team in the playoffs more than the Caps….Especially with Cam healthy and between the pipes!
Three of five leading scorers on their AHL team (Alexandre Giroux, Keith Aucoin, and Kyle Wilson) are all Unrestricted Free Agents. The other two of the top-5 scorers (Chris Borque and Andrew Gordon) are Restricted Free Agents. With Carlson and Alzner leaving the team to join the Caps full time, I think the Hershey Bears could be a very different team next year.
yes that is very true JJ
but that isn’t going to help the Rats tonight though…again JussiJuice you are correct…be safe and enjoy the rest of the day…Go Rats !!
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
I think you meant to say: Cap brings “parity”? DownGoesBrown brings parody. But maybe I’m offbase. ;)
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 29, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
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