Is Washington in trouble?

Hey everyone!

What a weekend huh?  It started out with one of the biggest events of the century, The Royal Wedding.  This crazy weekend came to a close with one of the biggest news stories/events since 9/11 with the death of Osama Bin Laden.

For the past few days my posts have gone away from sports, and with big events like that I just had to at least give my viewpoint on those topics!  I also have started a campaign to volunteer in Lesotho Africa.  I have had some following on what I want to do, but am far from the number of people who need to know about this for it to actually happen.  So if you have time please check out all of the details here: Help me get to Lesotho Africa and pass the word along!

Ok on to the Washington Capitals!!

Round two of the 2011 NHL playoffs are now underway!  After the Capitals beat the NY Rangers in the first round, they now are going up against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The first two games were played in Washington D.C and the Lightning came ready to play.  The Caps lost their first 2 home games, the way I look at it.....not good!

Washington is a superior team to the Lightning and they proved that during the regular season, beating them fairly easily all 4 times they played eachother.  The playoffs are a different breed though.  It's where the "Crazy" things happen.  The underdogs get this confidence from somewhere, and can compete with the top dogs.  A great example of this is during march madness.  You get the 12 and 13 seeds taking out the "better" teams.  A Wisconsin team might beat George Mason 8 times out of 10, but it just takes that one almost fluke game to end your playoff campaign.

It's time for Washington to rally behind Alex Ovechkin.  The Caps are known for "Choking" during the playoffs.  They need to let the past go, and look towards the future.  They will never play for a Stanley Cup if they can't get that monkey off of their shoulders. 

ONE major thing that will help Washington win.....well lets get the powerplay going!  Going 0 for 6 on the powerplay is ridiculous, especially when you not only have the best player in the NHL on your team, but one of the top powerplay units in the LEAGUE.  All it takes is for one goal on the powerplay to open the flood gates.  The next two games are now in Tampa.  They will have to get the powerplay going if they want any chance to bring the series back to the Capital.  Vincent Lecavalier for the Lightning is in my opinion a has been, and is having one of those "Magical" series.  Lets put him on the ice, and be done with him. 

Confidence and powerplay success is what the Washington Capitals need.  They lost the first 2 home games, but in a playoffs where home ice advantage hasnt meant much, I'm not too worried about that.  I will be worried though if the Caps lose game 3.  Lets hope for an early powerplay goal from the stallion Eight the Gr8 to get the team going.  With a little more confidence, the Capitals have the talent to win it all!

Tim