In front a sold-out Verizon center, the Capitals finished off the regular season with a story book ending; an unlikely trip to the playoffs and a division title. Led by arguably the greatest player in hockey today, Alexander Ovechkin, the Caps had to win 7 straight games and 11 of their last 12 in order to reach the playoffs for the first time in five years.After firing head coach Glen Hanlon on Thanksgiving Day, Bruce Boudreau took over a team that with a record of 6-14-1 was easily the worst in the NHL. Boudreau completely changed the personality of the team into an up-tempo attacking style that highlights the skills of the youthful roster as well as the NHL's most outstanding scorer, Ovechkin. The Caps went on a 4 ½ month run to go from worst in the NHL to Southeast Division champs.
As the hottest team in the NHL, no one is looking forward to facing the Capitals in the playoffs, especially not the Philadelphia Flyers who the Caps will face-off against in the first round. With the way they have been playing down the stretch in order just to make the playoffs, the Caps have transformed themselves into legitimate contenders and could be hoisting the Stanley Cup when everything is said and done.
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