Hockey Thoughts: Caps, Ovechkin, the Eastern Conference and That Other Thing

Addressing first things first. Alexander Ovechkin did not win the Art Ross or the Rocket Trophies this year. Call me a sore loser if you want, but I still find it interesting that the winners did need additional games in order to surpass Ovechkin in points and goals. He was injured for a short while and was subject to two suspensions, both of which were questionable--particularly the second one, timing and all else about it. Ten additional games these other players (who's names I won't even mention) required to win. And no, I'm not above accusing the league of misconduct when it comes to trying to "fix" certain outcomes as much as is in their control. One particular unnamed player better enjoy it while he can, rack up all the honors this year because his time in the sun is coming to a close.


Now on to the fun stuff! The Caps won the Predisent's Trophy and do NOT have to face Philly in the Quarterfinals! They will be facing the Habs. Despite a splitting the season series with the Habs, I feel much better about this matchup than had the Caps faced some of the other possible Eastern Conference foes. Regardless of their lackluster performance in the final regular season game--where they knew they did not need a win for any reason at all--they are going into the playoffs HOT! Add in that the Habs are Frency McFrencher Canadians and I think the Caps will have an easy go of the First Round this year!


Until this morning I was wary to predict they would go all the way. I love them to death and they are clearly the best team in the NHL, but I still had doubts. Being "good on paper" does not a Stanley Cup Champion make. But I started reading Ted Leonsis' book "The Business of Happiness" last night and after the first couple of chapters I realized, "He's made a happy team! That's exactly what he's done! OMG, a happy team! A happy team that's going to win the Stanley Cup!" Then I got to the actual chapter in the book on the Capitals and his ownership and management of the team and, gosh darn it, if I wasn't right about his approach to the Capitals. I've always liked Mr. Leonsis, and could tell he has a special relationship with his star player. I've always noticed that Ovechkin seems like one of the happiest people alive, almost all the time. My hunch, there, was also right. From the book:


It was a good year to be bad. We drafted not only the most talented hockey player in the world, we drafted a happy guy. Alex doesn't just play hard. He plays with a smile on his face. He exudes gratitude for the sheer pleasure of being able to play the sport he loves. He is a brilliant player, but he's also a wonderful human being. Because he's such a good guy, no one begrudges the money he makes, or who he is, or how he's treated. He is one of the guys, and when he's on the rink, he lifts the playing skills of the players around him. They don't just feed him the puck and watch; they don't stop playing when Alex is on the ice, leaving everything to him. They play their hearts out because that's what Alex demands.


Drafting Alex Ovechkin set the tone for our team. Four years later, we haven't won the Stanley Cup, but this year we went to the seventh game of the second round against the team that eventually did win it. We sold out every game. We now have a waiting list for season ticket holders. People leave the arena with big smiles on their faces. We've built a happy team, a happy franchise, a happy business, and it translates into happiness for the fans, happiness at the box office, and happiness for the city. I can say with humility that we're not yet where we want to be. I can also say with confidence that the best is yet to come.

I think that the Caps have finally reached the pinnacle of that happiness. This is their year. Even without Ovechkin winning the individual awards the TEAM has reached many milestones this year and broken many records. Ultimately hockey is a TEAM sport, and a team cannot excel on the back of one star player. The Caps played as good or better when Ovechkin was out of the lineup, as with him in. Last year the Caps were still the "Ovechkin Show." This year they are more.


So, even though I've said it in half-jest all year now I say it in earnest. I'm riding the Caps all the way to the Cup!