On Thursday, the Capitals dropped their second home game of the Eastern Conference Final, tying up their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-2.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, there have only ever been two teams in NHL history to have both come back from a 2-0 deficit in a series and blown a 2-0 lead in a series in the same postseason. Those teams are the 1987 Quebec Nordiques and the 2009 Washington Capitals.
As the Caps head back to Tampa Bay for a crucial Game Five, some fans are doing what they can to will their favorite team to victory. They still believe in the Caps – a team that has continued to defy the odds, and expectations, over the entire year.
I am naming myself as director of caps player intensity @granthpaulsen @funnydanny #ALLCAPS #itsoktobelieve pic.twitter.com/U0PUWF8mks
— BT (@BTnitro) May 18, 2018
For instance, BT posted this video to Twitter. In it, BT stands on the rooftop car parked in front of Capitals Kettler Iceplex, wearing an “It’s OK to Believe” shirt. He spreads his arms wide as Van Halen’s “Right Now” blasts from the speakers of his car.
“As a long-time pessimistic sufferer of the Caps playoffs, I figured I’d try and be positive after last night’s let down,” he told RMNB, when asked what prompted the moment. “I went to Kettler to get an ‘It’s OK to Believe’ shirt. I figured I’d spread some comedic positivity with the video that would hopefully cheer others up.”
“We got this series, we’re going to be fine,” he added. “As a psychologist, I know it’s important to envision success. As fans we must do that in Games Five and Six.”
As for the choice of Van Halen’s “Right Now”? He said, “I love Van Halen and hearing it at [Capital One Arena]. It’s our time to turn things around. We own the road. Go Caps!”
BT wasn’t the only one to make a grand gesture in support of the team.
Caps fan Andrew Hawkins decided to make an 18-hour journey from Edmonton to Tampa to support the Capitals in Game Five. The team is 5-0-0 when Andrew has been in attendance.
Andrew is flying to Tampa to save the Caps https://t.co/lwzZmtxurq
— RMNB (@russianmachine) May 18, 2018
@russianmachine Caps have never lost when I attended their game (5-0-0) So what do I do? Naturally, I book a plane ticket to Tampa (from Edmonton) for Game 5! Let’s do this!!!!!! Make this 18 hour travel day worth it please!!!! #ALLCaps
— Andrew J Hawkins (@Hawkins6289) May 18, 2018
“I’ve been cheering for the Caps since they made the cup run in ’98,” Hawkins said. “The Caps have never made it this far and they were up 2-0 so it was comfortable. But now that it’s 2-2 they need a little extra push. Ovi and the gang are superstitious and so am I. If I can bring them any luck at all I’m gonna do it.”
When we followed up to ask if that purchase had come as a result of Thursday’s Game Four loss, Andrew said, “Yep. Well, and I hear Tampa is beautiful this time of year.”
We were also curious about the other games that Andrew had attended in person, attributing to his 5-0 record.
“I was at their games in Edmonton in 2015 and 2017, and Ottawa in 2010, 2011, and I think 2012,” he said. “I was at the Ottawa game during the filming of the Road to the Winter Classic, and that was awesome because they broke that losing streak that had dragged on.”
Andrew is also planning to attend Game Six back in Washington on Monday.
I’ll be in Washington for game 6 on Monday. I believe. No way am I abandoning this team now.
— Andrew J Hawkins (@Hawkins6289) May 18, 2018
Remember: It’s okay to believe.
