Caps vs. Panthers 4-5-2008 Post-Mortem

Yep, we were wrong... Onto the Battle Damage Assessment...

THE GOOD:

• It's the best worst to first story in the history of the NHL. The Caps are Southeast Division Champs again and will open up the playoffs at home on Thursday night against either Philadelphia or Ottawa.
• Sergei (#3) Fedorov continues to show that he belongs on this team in a long term capacity. Yes he's lost a step but his game winning goal was was huge and he added an assist as well.
• Your leading shooter tonight? Alexander Semin who took 8 shots on goal and also got the insurance goal that gave the team some breathing room.

THE UGLY:

• While it didn't matter tonight, "our problem" should have helped us put the game away early but true to form, it didn't and our season long struggles with a two man advantage will come back to haunt us.

Before we go any further, we need to offer a huge Thanks to the Florida Panthers for not only beating Carolina and opening up the door for us tonight, but for also not rolling over against us tonight. I don't think it would have done us any good to have won this game going away because the Panthers tanked it. So the question now becomes, how long can this continue? Back in January we joked that Ottawa didn't want to see us in the playoffs and now they very well could end up coming here next week. If we end up playing Ottawa, we'll be heavy favorites. Though seeing as how Boston tanked tonight to the Buffaslugs, I wouldn't be surprised to see Philly do the same thing to ensure a first round matchup with the Penguin Scum tomorrow. I can't imagine anybody really wanting to play us right now.

It has been... A TWO POINT NIGHT!!!