THURSDAY MUSINGS: The Hangover

(image by Bobby Rubio / http://www.alcatrazhigh.com/)

It's been five days. I guess it's not the longest hangover I've had.

To clarify, this isn't an alcohol induced hangover (though it very well could have been). This is a sports hangover. A DC sports hangover specifically, courtesy of your WASHINGTON CAPITALS (@!#$#$^%!!!).

Now, if you are curious as to what constitutes a 'DC sports hangover', the symptoms are largely the same as a regular hangover. That is ... there's nausea, vomiting, a little whining and self-loathing, acute sensitivity to light, a headache, feelings of regret ... and of course, late night pizza. Except for the DC sports fan, these symptoms aren't the result of a night of binging, but rather days, weeks, months, even years of seemingly misguided allegiances to perennially failing institutions in the world of sport.

For anyone unfortunate enough to share my fanaticism, you will know this variety of hangover pretty well. It happens every spring, when the Capitals inevitably walk the plank in the NHL playoffs. It happens when the Wizards fall out of playoff contention. Or mid-November, whichever happens first. (Because of the lockout, you could argue that the Wizards were never in playoff contention this year so there shouldn't have been any hangover to begin with. To which I will say, eat me.) And for Redskins fans - there are a few in DC, despite all the Cowboy/Steeler/Eagle placards you see in the area - our hangovers are either weekly or bi-monthly throughout the regular season. Even with the addition of RG3, it's hard to imagine a rookie coming out of the gate and firing on all cylinders so I suspect this season will be no different. (Don't say I didn't warn you.)

But alas, after about a week of quiet reflection (and complete shunning of ESPN), I've rehydrated, I'm back on solid foods ... I'm ready for the world again. And despite the soul-crushing loss to the New York Rangers (and the subsequent loss of Coach Hunter to ... Canadian farm life), I can honestly say that the excitement of this post-season run by the Capitals was well worth it, if for no other reason but to provide a glimpse at a team capable of exceeding expectations. Now, pass the Advil.

QUICK HITTERS

- The Nationals were noticeably absent from the above rant, largely because ... there's still reason for optimism (albeit cautious optimism). Despite a rash of injuries, a dearth of run support and the incessant efforts of interim closer Henry Rodriguez to DESTROY THE UNIVERSE, DC's boys of summer are sitting in first place of the National League East. Granted, we're not even into June yet but it's encouraging to see this team power through some rough patches with damn fine pitching and timely hitting.

- Speaking of hitting, some kid named Harper ... plays for the Nats I think ... he stroked a couple good hits. That is, two homers and triple in his last three games. Not bad for a 19 year old in his rookie campaign. Then again, all those accomplishments, along with an epic steal of home base, might be trumped by this:

UFC Octagon Girl, Brittany Palmer and lucky bastard, Bryce Harper

(image: Tracy Lee / Yahoo sports)

- The Redskins unveiled their modern interpretation of a throwback uni to commemorate their 80th anniversary. This after the disastrous debut of Nike's revamped NFL uniforms which ... looked exactly like the old Reebok uniforms. The verdict? A decisive 'Meh'. I don't mind the darker hues of burgundy and gold so much as I mind the obvious similarities to both Florida State's and Boston College's respective duds. For my money, the 'leather' helmets are a 10 but it seems other fans don't share my sentiment. I would love an in person look at all these to get a better feel for them. Better yet, in-person, on a Redskin, no more than 50 yards away from me. Please. 

- That said, no matter how the jersey looks up close, it will NEVER top the 70th anniversary jersey (of which I am a proud owner):

- The NBA playoffs are going on. I say that because I assume someone cares about such things. 

- This has nothing to do with sports but 'The Avengers' F**KING RULED. Yes, I am a nerd, and yes, I have been waiting with baited breath since 2008 for this movie. But damnit, if that wasn't a movie ANYONE could get behind. Great job by Mark Ruffalo in bringing the Hulk to life. Great interactions between him and Tony Stark. Great ensemble cast. Another great turn as Loki for Tom Hiddleston. As noted radio personality Robb Spiewak would say, just GREAT. 

That's all I got today. Appreciate everyone and anyone that took a moment to read this. I know I've been way sporadic posting in the last two months but hopefully, I can keep at it from here on in. Later, friends. 

Hit Me: CAPITALS RANGERS LIVEBLOG

7:41: The puck she drops, and I'm already flustered. I need a break from life so I can blog more.

7:42: Finally getting a replay of the Ovi sprint back down the ice to negate the icing. Key factor to his success? He led w/ his face. All the way to the glass. Hope the youngsters at home are taking notes.

7:44: Three minutes in and the teams have exchanged scoring opportunities. If this is any indication of how the game will go, I suspect that we'll see a little more scoring this go 'round. May be time to ready the Tums.

7:47: First 'Ovie Sucks' chant of the night. Cute the first time but terribly unoriginal. Really, there may be no more overrated hockey crowd than the MSG 'faithful'.

7:55: Nine minutes in, Caps just miss on a great two-on-one chance. Semin passed up the chance to shoot and judging by the commentary, you'd have thought the earth shattered. Settle down boys.

7:57: Rangers strike w/ nine to play. Seemed like a matter of time w/ the disparity in shots in favor of NY. I wonder how well antacids mix w/ dark beer.

8:00: Didn't catch this initially but that was Dennis Wideman on the ice for that NY tally. Just saying.

8:02: First 14 minutes of this period have not been kind to DC. Soft goal against Holtby, way too much time in the defensive zone, and now the Caps head to the PK. PS: Tums & beer? Not bad.

8:07: Ask any male, heterosexual Caps fan who they would want to get a one bed apartment with. The answer will surely be Matt Hendricks. Oh, Caps killed the Hamrlik minor penalty.

8:11: Chimera fires one into Lundqvist and takes a late hit from Del Zotto. I'm sensing imminent decapitation.

8:13: Del Zotto hooks Semin & gets two for his efforts. He's safe for two minutes at least.

8:15: First period closes and the Caps will have less than 15 tics on the power play to start the second. Urge to kill ... rising.

8:16: Sidenote - Wideman had a nice little turnover in the Caps' defensive zone at the start of the PP. Fortunately for him he had help. Unfortunately for Caps fans he's still under contract.

8:19: Best thing about the game so far? No Mike Milbury. My heart, she sings.

8:21: During his analysis, Jeremy Roenick says the word 'boom' no less than 12 times. Somewhere, John Madden is blushing like a schoolgirl.

8:27: Sidenote - This has nothing to do w/ hockey but ... 'The Avengers' ruled. A full-on, two hour nerdgasm. If I survive this game, I'm carving out an afternoon and catching a matinee. Pants may or may not be on.

8:32: Second period underway, and we see a graphic showing the Rangers' advantage in shots. 17-4 and nary a shot for any of the big three. Given the number and quality of opportunities, the Caps are lucky to be down one.

8:34: Girardi mauls Mike Green but refs nab 52 on the retaliation. Two mins slashing minor for Clarendon's most eligible bachelor.

8:36: Caps kill it off but this has not been a fun game to watch so far.

8:39: Ward hustles up ice and draws another penalty on Del Zotto. Safe to say he's been the Caps' MVP thus far. Del Zotto that is.

8:42: At least a trio of golden opportunities for the Caps as the PP tics off. Enjoying the pace right now but Lundqvist is looking scary good right now.

8:47: Just like that, Laich punches one home. Great screen by Brouwer to screen Lundqvist. FYI if Hendricks and I needed a roommate, best believe it would be Troy Brouwer.

8:51: How does Jeff Schultz follow-up a decent three minute stretch for the Caps? He turns the puck over off an easy pass near neutral ice. I pray he and Wideman get lost on the way to the locker room between periods. Every game.

8:55: Not to be outdone, John Carlson chips one out and gets two minutes for a delay of game. He gets a pass for the rug commercials. Not this.

8:57: Terrifying PK. Green had a couple good blocks but totally lost track of Gaborik behind him as he moved into the crease. Caps were lucky the centering pass skipped over his stick.

9:00: Four minutes left in the second. Holtby hasn't looked as solid but the replays show just how quick he's had to react all night. Great awareness. Heart his effort

9:04: Odd sequence as the period winds down. I'm pretty sure Ovie and Green both shot at the same puck. At the same damn time. Only in DC.

9:06: Our long, national nightmare is over. Caps escape the period with the score knotted at 1. My heart will  get a 15 minute reprieve.

9:23: Start of the third period. This last frame is being brought to you by Great Lakes Brewing's Elliot Ness Amber Lager. I'm not sponsored by them, I'm just enjoying the hell out of the buzz it's giving me.

9:26: After an initial surge by the Rangers, Caps respond w/ a buzz in front of Lundqvist. Three minutes in and again, Ward draws another penalty against NY. Rupp gets two for hooking.

9:30: Johnny C makes up for bad tapestry commercials and bad penalties. Power play strike from 74 gives DC a 2-1 advantage.

9:36: Thirteen minutes to play and I honestly do not recall a single Ovie shot attempt all night. Meanwhile Backstrom pings the pipe on a breakaway. Is there any question who's the most important Cap on the ice?

9:39: Wideman draws a highsticking minor on Kreider. This is what I would call "Step on the neck" time for DC.

9:42: Rangers poised to kill this penalty. If you're keeping score at home, the Caps continued that whacky bit where they start off a penalty by losing the faceoff and letting the D clear one to the other end. A good 'go-to' move for the Caps.

9:44: More whacky bits, this time by Semin. You know the one he does when he has a breakaway opportunity and then thinks, "Man, I'm an absolute sniper but an ill-fated pass would be SO MUCH COOLER."

9:47: Quote from Grant Paulsen (of 1067thefandc.com): "Dennis Wideman taking that stick to the head was his most productive moment of this postseaon." Truer words never spoken.

9:50: Four minutes to play, Caps protecting a one goal lead and NOW Hunter decides to double shift Ovie? NO EMOTICON FOR WHAT I'M FEELING.

9:53: Ovie blocks a shot, Laich buries one into Lundqvist's chest. I may black out.

9:56: Fifty five seconds. Pure terror.

9:57: Tortarella calls time for NYR, does zero coaching and makes the same, "I'm a complete douche" face he always makes.

10:01: There is no god.

10:02: Late double minor against Ward leads to a NYR goal with less than SEVEN FRIGGIN SECONDS to play. Oh, Rangers have just a hair under two minutes left to go on the PP to start OT. I ... can't speak.

10:05: The NHL's "Because it's the cup" campaign stinks. Should mimic the NBA and have the slogan be, "The NHL Playoffs: Where alcoholics are born". Beer #2.

10:18: Minute into OT and the extra frame is starting a lot like this game did. Rangers buzzing. Then again, so am I.

10:20: Kill me. Rangers take Game 5. And my soul.

10:27: Putting a bow on this before drowning my sorrows. The Ward penalty was awful but not insurmountable. Caps gave NY lots of opportunities in their own zone throughout the night but Holtby was largely able to bail out the D. They never seemed able to adjust and it was only a matter of time until it came back to haunt them.