All Washington Capitals fans are aware of the team’s many successes and failures. The postseason series losses in recent years weigh heavier on Caps fans than fans of any other team. These demons also affect the Capitals’ skaters more than the team wants it to.
It was personified when they went down 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team began to relive past horrors. They were forced to deal with potentially being the best team in the NHL and still losing. The Capitals responded well mentally and Toronto did not win another game after Game 3. Many Capitals fans believe that the team has to get past their past playoff horrors, and the best way to do that is by destroying those demons round after round, until they win the Stanley Cup.