Blackhawks vs Capitals: Winter Classic 2015 Win Shows Washington Is Title ...

The Washington Capitals have been perpetually disappointing during the Alex Ovechkin era, losing many playoff series to inferior teams and not being able to capitalize on all the talent they've had.

If there is going to be a turning point for the franchise, look no further than the 2015 Winter Classic against Chicago.

In what has turned into one of the marquee sporting events on a crowded New Year's Day calendar, the Winter Classic afforded the Capitals a chance to showcase where they are headed with a thrilling 3-2 victory against the second-best team in the Western Conference.

The game appeared destined for overtime beforeTroy Brouwer scored a power-play goal with 13 seconds left in regulation to give the Capitals a win on Thursday.

It also moved them to 19-11-7 and into third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Ovechkin, who got in on the scoring early with a first-period goal that gave Washington a 2-0 lead, seems to have matured in front of our eyes. The Capitals star has been criticized throughout his career for not being the leader this team needs, as Allan Muir ofSports Illustratedwrote in April 2014:

We all have a vision of what a captain should be. For most of us, that guy probably looks a lot like Mark Messier in his prime: a larger-than-life figure who boldly leads the charge, demands accountability from his teammates, and backs up his message with total commitment and the occasional legacy-building goal.

...

But there is one prerequisite for the job: a captain has to be able to lead.

And that tool is missing from Ovechkin's box.

The Washington captain has taken a new approach this season and gives all the credit to first-year head coach Barry Trotz, via Erik Brady of USA Today:

Just the mentality, the system, how he prepares for the games (is different).I'll say every coach is different. Every coach is a good coach and a bad coach. If you play well, you think everything is fine. But if you didn't play well, you start blaming someone, and the first guy you are going to blame is going to be the coach, because you are never going to blame yourself. Sometimes we have to realize maybe it's your mistake.

Throughout this marriage between Ovechkin and Washington, the Capitals have experienced some of the highest highs in the regular season. They won five division titles in a six-year span from 2007-13, but disappointment reared its ugly head against playoff competition. They didn't advance beyond the second round during that stretch.

Last year was rock bottom for Ovechkin and the Capitals. He led the league with 51 goals but had the third-worst plus/minus rating at minus-35, and the team missed the playoffs despite finishing with 90 points.

The Winter Classic looked like another instance where the Capitals were going to disappoint after an electric start. They had a two-goal lead in the first 12 minutes before letting the Blackhawks back in the game with goals late in the first period and early in the second.

Chicago's first goal also showcased one major problem for the Capitals: penalty-killing. They rank 25th in this department with a 78.0 percent success rate. Patrick Sharp scored with a one-man advantage on Thursday.

There's no denying that this Washington bunch is still flawed, but there's been a different energy following the team so far this season.

The Capitals are able to score with anyone, are getting solid goaltending from Braden Holtby and have a coach capable of making all the pieces jell.

Ovechkin is the engine that makes the ship go, but he doesn't have to carry the entire burden alone anymore. He's getting great support from Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson.

Playing in the Eastern Conference doesn't make for an easy road to the Stanley Cup, as the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings all look formidable.

The Capitals are slowly moving into that mix and got their marquee win of the year on the biggest stage NHL has to offer in the regular season.

Winning championships is a process. The Capitals have gone a roundabout way toward getting there but look better now than when they were winning multiple division titles.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2316582-blackhawks-vs-capitals-winter-classic-2015-win-shows-washington-is-title-threat

Continue Reading ..

Winter Classic 2015: Blackhawks vs. Capitals Thriller Gives Event Needed Boost

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

The NHL struck gold with the Winter Classic concept back in 2008. The introduction of the Stadium Series threatened the unique nature of the event, however. That's why a memorable encounter between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals was so important.

By adding more outdoor games to the schedule last season, what was an annual showcase where the NHL could take center stage became an overused gimmick. The league decided to take the short-term gain with hope it wouldn't have too much of a negative impact on the main event.

The lack of hype surrounding the event in the days leading up to the game was noticeable. Television time usually spent discussing the Winter Classic was instead used to banter about other sporting events, most notably the College Football Playoff semifinals.

So the NHL needed the Blackhawks and Capitals to put on a show.

The concern isn't about game attendance. The Winter Classic is always going to remain a spectacle for the host city and its fans for as long as the outdoor games continue. It's about the league trying to keep a place on the national stage during a busy New Year's Day sports slate.

Is the Winter Classic still a must-see event?

Chicago and Washington delivered at Nationals Park. The home team picked up the victory courtesy of a Troy Brouwer goal with just 13 seconds left in the third period.

Just as important, the big names played like stars. Alex Ovechkin had two points, including a goal for the Caps. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each had an assist and were heavily involved offensively for the Hawks.

NHL Public Relations passed along comments from Ovechkin, who talked about the greatness of the atmosphere at the usual home of the Washington Nationals:

A Vine provided by the Capitals after the game-winning tally certainly backed those remarks up:

Ultimately, it was a highly entertaining game between two teams with no shortage of talent. That's exactly what the NHL needed.

As for the reason the game didn't generate the same type of interest beforehand, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News suggests having the build-up shows on a smaller channel played a role. He believes the Winter Classic remains strong, though:

The game itself lived up to the usual standard, which is high for the event dating back to the Pittsburgh Penguins edging the Buffalo Sabres in a picturesque snowstorm seven years ago. All of the games have been a positive showcase of hockey.

That said, the television ratings and the buzz in the weeks ahead will tell the ultimate story. The NHL needs to use the game to build its brand. That's why adding the Stadium Series always represented a risk in the bigger picture.

If nothing else, the Blackhawks and Capitals did their part to provide the Winter Classic with a boost.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2316712-winter-classic-2015-blackhawks-vs-capitals-thriller-gives-event-needed-boost

Continue Reading ..