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Panthers beat Caps 2-0: Now we dance

By Peter Hassett

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April 9, 2017 9:20 pm

In a formality of a #rego-season finale, the Washington Capitals lost to the Florida Panthers.

The Caps surrendered a shorthanded goal to Derek MacKenzie in the second period. In the third, Denis Malgin made it 2-0 with a point-blank powerplay goal.

Panthers beat Caps. The regular season is over. The dance begins.

  • Not suited up for this one: Brett Connolly (sick), Justin Williams (old), TJ Oshie (fragile), John Carlson (lower-body), Matt Niskanen (probably just kickin’ it). In addition, Braden Holtby dipped out after the first 40 minutes.
  • But we got to see Garrett Mitchell‘s NHL debut, and what a treat that was. Mitchell played with an intensity that no one else could really match. He got the royal welcome too: abandoned for the pregame warmups and pranked into taking the opening faceoff.

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  • Barry Trotz put forth an odd assortment of dudes for his power plays: Jay Beagle, Lars Eller, Nate Schmidt. As a result it looked like pick-up hockey. Also as a result: Derek MacKenzie scored a shorty.
  • The NHL’s stats weren’t working for this game, adding an eerie vibe —  as if this one really really didn’t matter. It also left us using the eye test alone, which got me thinking: I’m wrong about everything.
  • No I’m not.
  • Hey, this was the best Caps season of all time. They didn’t quite meet last season’s point total, but this team is better in every possible way not regarding unsustainable pythagorean win expectation. Good good times.
  • Follow me past Joe B’s suit and we’ll talk Toronto.

Joe B suit of the night

The Caps will play the Maple Leafs in the first round. Toronto is the heart of hockey, and the Leafs are an exciting, young, and dynamic team. We’re looking down the barrel at four to seven games that will be hyped to hell and fun to watch.

This is the matchup I wanted most. Not because it’s the most easy (it’s not), but because it’ll be the most fun. When we get to the bottom of it, we do this hockey thing because it’s a freaking blast. This series will be a freaking blast.

Any talk of Sisyphus and rolling rocks and the meaninglessness of existence is going on pause for now. This is the good stuff coming up next. Hold on to your spoons.

Headline photo: @DChardcoreNJ

Full Coverage of Caps vs Panthers

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