Hi Bryan, Given that he appears to be getting outcoached through three games, is #InTrotzWeTrust still a thing? - Doubtful in D.C.
Thanks for the question, Doubtful. Yes, Barry Trotz seems to be getting outcoached thus far, with CSNWashington analyst Alan May going so far as to say that Toronto head coach Mike Babcock is "running the Capitals" right now. Yes, Trotz seems too caught up in matchups, instead of trying to use his teams superior talent to dictate play. Yes, one of my major criticisms of former Caps coach Bruce Boudreau was his inability to adapt over the course of a seven game series. We'll see if Trotz and staff can and/or will. Yes, Trotz, despite his resume, his professionalism, and saying all the right things, resembles a man who is just trying to keep his head above water as he begins to comprehend that he had no clue what it would be like to be swept up in the wave of curse that is this franchise. But, yes, #InTrotzWeTrust is still a thing because I paid a lot of money for all those bumper stickers.
Hey B, longtime listener, first time caller. The Caps gave up four goals Wednesday night. Braden Holtby looks more concerned with hair flips and water bottle squirts than stopping pucks. 'Bout time to go to Grubauer, don't you think? I'll hang up and listen for your answer. - Overreacting in Odenton
Uh, Overreacting, I'm not sure you understand how blogs, mailbags, or goaltending work. The first goal took a fluke bounce onto a 40-goal scorer's stick. The second goal was deflected. The third goal was scored only after Holtby made an incredible save from point blank range with his defenders out of position, and the fourth goal occurred on a deflection in the waning seconds of a Toronto penalty on a fresh sheet of ice. Holtby made many impressive saves and one daring (stupid if doesn't work) poke check forty feet from his crease. Thanks, but even with his tics and peculiarities, I'm riding with the Holtbeast.
Hello Bryan, Do you remember the exact moment you began hating yourself for being a Capitals fan? - Curious in Clarendon
No, I've been spending more time trying to deduce where this franchise went wrong. The ineptitude in key moments is uncanny. The lack of confidence in clutch opportunities is bizarre. The wilting under pressure is nearly inexplicable. Did Abe Polin build the original Capital Centre on ancient Indian burial grounds? Did Vincent Price once give Nick Backstrom a cursed tiki idol when he vacationed in Hawaii? Did Alex Ovechkin sell his soul for 700 goals and zero Cups?
Bryan, Supposing the Caps limp by the Maple Leafs, what is the probability Washington will get smoked by the Penguins in Round Two? - Resigned in Reston
I'm going to let my guy K2SO field that one:
Good morning Bryan, Do you think fans will be excited when the Caps raise their latest President's Trophy banner to the Verizon Center rafters next fall? Asking for a friend. -
*sigh*
Beezer, If the Capitals lose Game 4 is it okay to burn all my red hats, jerseys, and pompoms tonight, or does fan code require waiting until the actual end of the series? - Kevin in Indiana
Put the cap back on the gas can, Sparky. I say Washington wins tonight to even the series. I'd like to say they will handle their business the way the Sharks handled theirs while down two games to one to a young, talented upstart, but I see no way the Caps hang seven goals on the Leafs. As great as a dominating performance would be, we're likely looking at another back and forth, one goal game. Heck, at this point, just for the sheer weirdness of it, I'd love to see seven overtime games; make it as a close a series as possible. I think the Caps win Game 5, lose Game 6 back in Toronto, and return home for another historically-unkind, fraught-with-danger, watch-what-happens, pressure cooker of a Game 7. As much as we bemoan it, would we fans want it any other way?
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