The Cup has been won, the parties held, the days with Lord Stanley filling players and fans with memories, the reminiscences by Capitals Nation of spring glory frequent and heartfelt. Winning that first Stanley Cup still has a warm glow, one that will perhaps last forever in the hearts of everyone who played, watched, and cheered in that glorious march last spring.
A hangover from a short summer and a completely different end to the season was, if not expected, certainly unsurprising. To that add the quirky nature of the schedule to open the season for the Caps.