Welcome to our latest mini-feature here at Caputo's Corner: Great Moments in Washington Capitals Playoff History!
We have entered the final week of the NHL regular season. The Caps have already clinched a playoff spot and it is only a matter of time before they clinch the Southeast Division title for the 4th straight season. The only thing left to be decided is whether or not they pass Philadelphia for 1st overall in the East and who they will be playing in the first round. Right now it could be any of 4 different teams: the Rangers, Buffalo, Montreal, or Carolina (depending on how it all plays out at the bottom of the playoff bracket). I personally would rather not face the Rangers. Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde team. They will either beat you 7-0 or roll over and play dead. Too risky. Besides, in hockey, seeding and home ice doesn't really matter if you ask me. It's all about matchups. We don't really match up well with the Rangers, I think. I'll take my chances with Montreal again or Buffalo or Carolina.
Vancouver has already locked up the Presidents Trophy for best overall record (probably a good thing considering what the Caps did with that last thing last year...).
This is not an installment of Nick's Lists (although I probably should do another one soon). I am not ranking these moments. These are just a few short takes on some of the most important and memorable episodes in Caps playoff history (as the title suggests). Hopefully this is just a prelude to a very long and deep playoff run for the Caps in 2011.
Our first moment comes from 1988. The Caps were down to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Patrick Division semifinals 3 games to 1. Then they came storming back. Game 7 went to overtime (not too much unlike the Caps playoff runs in the 2000s) at the Cap Centre. Dale Hunter was the Caps' captain and was able to break away in the OT. He scored and the Caps won the series as the Cap Centre went berserk. Enjoy the moments leading up to and immediately following Dale Hunter's heroics.
This was such an exciting moment that the NHL selected it for inclusion in its "History Will Be Made" ad series promoting the playoffs. Take a look at this spot:
Unfortunately for the Caps, they lost the Patrick Division Final series to the Islanders in 7 games. In the 80s, the Caps did not have much playoff success at all, but for one April day in 1988, all was right in the Capital hockey world. We'll be back later this week with more moments as we inch closer to the present day and the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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