Fairly or not, the Washington Capitals have formed a reputation as a team that chokes when the games matter the most. A team that won five division titles in six seasons between 2007 and 2013 flamed out in the first round three times and never advanced past the conference semifinal. The lowlight of the era came in 2009-10, when the Capitals led the NHL in points (121) and goal differential (plus-85) but were bounced in the first round by a dogged Montreal Canadiens team and a red-hot Jaroslav Halak.
The only thing that will change the team’s reputation is winning in the postseason.