Saying Goodbye to the 2023-24 Washington Capitals

Apr 28, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals players salute their fans before leaving the ice after their game against the New York Rangers in game four of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports“They weren’t even supposed to be there.”

That’s been a common refrain among Capitals fans since the minute the final horn sounded on a rather rude 4-0 series loss handed to the team last night by the Rangers. And it does, for the most part, serve as some sort of comfort – because it’s true. This team, as constructed, as remained by mid-April, was really not supposed to be there. Even as they…