| 04 March 2010
Let's look back to last season for a moment. It's early March and the Capitals have all but locked up the Southeast Division and a tick next to their name indicating they're a playoff team. Ovie's cruising to another Hart Trophy, Backstrom is continuing his development into a superstar and Mike Green is the hottest offensive defenseman on the planet.
The 2009 trade deadline comes and...nothing. No additions or subtractions, just nothing.
The Caps go on to have a less-than-memorable March, waiting until the later stages of the month to officially lock up the Southeast Division title and enter the playoffs in underwhelming fashion.
Were the Caps complacent? Sure seemed like it. What did the Caps have to fight for in those last weeks? Nothing really, just individual stats and a slim chance at the Presidents' Trophy.
So now let's move to March 4, 2010.
The Caps are in first place, have all but locked up the Southeast Division and are in a race for the President's Trophy. But it's a little different this time.
Matt Bradley is sitting in the press box as deadline acquisition Scott Walker fills his spot in the lineup and scores two goals, including the game-winner, against Tampa Bay. Joe Corvo is manning the powerplay points with Mike Green and Eric Belanger is centering Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann while David Steckel joins Bradley in the press box. Oh, and let's not forget the ongoing battle for the No. 1 goalie spot between Semyon Varlamov and Jose Theodore.
The difference between the two seasons? Not just the players, but the drive to win in March. Roster spots are on the line. Valuable playoff sweaters will be won and lost over the next six weeks and a goalie is still to be named the definitive No. 1.
The Capitals, more than ever, can't afford to slack off in March. For some, their jobs depend on it.
George McPhee's trades may not have been blockbusters, but they have given the Caps reason to fight hard until the last regular season puck drops.
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