Open Thread

Something positive

From my perspective, watching the Capitals this year has had a different vibe than any season since we first started blogging in 2009. I have sarcastically joked behind the scenes with our contributors that I only write fluffy, fun things and over the last few weeks, it’s been draining writing analysis piece after analysis piece trying to diagnose what’s going on.

Doing this site, for me, is a passion project. Our mission statement is to make hockey as fun to read about as it is to watch. I fell in love with the team at a really young age. I have never really missed any of the games — either at the arena or watching on TV — since then. I play hockey. I wear it. I talk about it all the time. This site was a hobby that allowed me to express, selfishly, my creativity, but also my joy towards the sport and the team.

But I just want to be upfront with you right now: I’m not really having too much fun with covering the team right now. The reality is: there hasn’t been much fun to write about. The interviews are mostly not fun. The team has durability issues and lots of injuries. That’s not fun. Watching games at times is punishing — in my opinion, both the style of hockey that is being played and the execution. Me, an actual practicing optimist, does not see much hope for the rest of the season even if there are injured players that are coming back soonish. The playoffs, while not out of reach, will require a long run of very good hockey to make. It’s hard to guess what’s next this year, but it does not seem like a Stanley Cup or a parade down Constitution Ave is that thing.

And wow!! That’s incredibly depressing for a post that’s titled Something positive. But all of that mush at the top there is why I’m writing this piece in the first place.

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