At the start of the season, The Athletic released contention cycles for each team in the NHL. Dom Luszczyszyn and Scott Wheeler concluded in October that the Washington Capitals were one of, if not the furthest team from a Stanley Cup. Luszczyszyn defended the ranking saying that “not sure how [Caps fans] can possibly be mad at this unless the “d” in “D.C.” stands for “delusional.”
But isn’t being delusional part of being a fan? Merriam-Webster defines a “fan” as “an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator.” Aren’t fans supposed to be enthusiastic about their favorite team?