Photo: Evan Vucci
I hate St. Patrick’s Day. My family is Irish as Feakle and I like Irish writing and the Corrs and stuff, but I hate leprechauns and boiled potatoes and corned beef. I was really hoping Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs would be a short reprieve from the holiday and a happy kickoff to a huge week on the road for a Caps team barely holding on to playoff hopes. While we got a fantastic first period out of the home team, the rest of the game was a little dreary. Like Ireland.
The Caps came out literally on fire. Troy Brouwer got his 19th of the year from right up front. Jason Chimera kicked in yet another goal for his line with Fehr and Ward. And then Ward nailed a layup set up by Kuzya and Penner. The Leafs got one before the period was up– a lucky bounce into the slot and onto Troy Bodie’s stick– but it was a dominant twenty minutes for the home team.
The second was the opposite. Dion Phaneuf released a long bomb that snuck through the top line and Orlov-Carrick pairing. Then the Leafs got three consecutive power plays that the Caps desperately killed off.
The Caps survived the third and shut down the Leafs’ comeback attempt when Jason Chimera drew a penalty on a breakaway. Troy Brouwer got the empty netter.
Caps beat Leafs 4-2!
Alright, not exactly a solid win, but the two standings points are what really matters right now. I’m essentially switching to playoff mode, where I don’t care how the team wins so long as they win. Predictions and projections and possession be damned; just scoar moar than the other dude.
And now, to California. Kings, Ducks, Sharks. Those are three of the best teams in the league, and I’d be surprised if a Cup doesn’t come from one of ’em (probably not Bruce’s team though, sorry). It’s totally possible for the Caps to go oh-fer. If they can buck expectations and come back with six points, everything will be different. Literally everything.
Let’s do this.
P.S. Come to our party!
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