Stay angry.  Believe in Yourself.

That was the mantra that the Capitals opened their 2010-2011 season with after being knocked out of the playoffs by Montreal early last year.

This season has been nothing short of extrordinary.  With injuries, trades, a Winter Classic victory and now the playoffs, the Caps are still angry, and they have something to prove.

The Capitals have an interesting relationship with the Rangers, but most of it has to do with their rabid fans.  In 2009 during the playoffs, the Rangers head coach, John Tortarella got angry with a fan behind the bench to the point of spraying water on him, throwing a water bottle, and taking a players stick and waving it at the fan.  He was ultimately suspended for the incident and should be embarassed for life for such actions as far as I'm concerned.

When the Rangers returned to Verizon Center for the playoffs this year, the Capitals faithful were ready for their arrival.

The Capitals fans took the incident in stride.  They didn't forget, and they made a joke out of a rude incident.  Mind you that Tortarella certainly couldn't miss the message as the entire section behind their bench was filled with red ponchos.  Bravo fans, bravo.

The Caps lost on Sunday in New York bringing the series to 2-1.  On Wednesday night, the Caps and Rangers took to the ice at Madison Square Garden, but not before the Capitals head coach, Bruce Boudreau had some words to say.

Monday morning, Boudreau said of Madison Square Garden, "The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There’s no room for anything.  But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Also, our building’s a lot louder, too. So I mean, they can say what they want, but it’s not that loud in there.”

Rangers fans and media alike took Boudreau's comments and had a field day.  It was splashed on the newspapers of New York City, Twitter went bananas, and Boudreau was suddenly a terrible guy.  Going into Wednesday's night, the Rangers fans were rabid, screaming "Boudreauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu," and "Can you hear us?!"

The Caps were down 0-3 going into the third period and the game pretty much looked and felt like this:

In the 3rd period, something changed.  The Caps scored just moments into the 3rd period and then scored again just a few minutes later.  Momentum shifted, and the crowed quieted.  Suddenly, the heckling of Boudreau and the Caps stopped.  It got quiet - very quiet. 

When the Caps scored the tying goal with only a few minutes left in the game, it was almost like watching the fans completely deflate like balloons.  Suddenly they didn't care about Boudreau and his comments - they only cared about the win.  Funny how focus changes when the game is on the line.

Over 120 minutes of hockey were played, and the Capitals came back from an overwhelming defecit to win in double overtime.  In normal hockey, this is a feat.  In playoff hockey, this is a herculean effort, and well deserved I might add.  Both Caps and Rangers fans waited and waited and waited for that final goal, and Chimera from Washinton delivered.

It's your turn, Washington.  It's your turn to beat rivals in the playoffs.  It's your turn to speak your opinion withour fear of retaliation.  It's your turn to win.

Craig Laughlin, a former Capitals player and now color commentator for televised games tweeted last night that Wednesday's game would likely be the last home game for the Rangers this year and that "MSG is a dump." 

The Capitals and their fans need to talk like other fans do.  It's okay for Bruce to make some criticisms - he's passionate about his arena and his fans.  It's okay for Laughlin to call MSG a dump - it's not a secret that it is!  These guys are lighting fires and getting fans pumped up and ready to go.  Running their mouths is a lot better than throwing things at fans, or being Sean Avery. In the past, the Capitals have quietly gone about their business, minding their P's and Q's and going about their day.

But not now.  They're angry.  And more importantly, they believe in themselves.

Dear Nationals,

I am very disappointed in you. 

I’m not disappointed that half of your debit card machines weren’t working. 

I’m not disappointed that I missed out on a free t-shirt becuase traffic was so bad we weren’t able to be part of the first 10,000 fans.

I’m not even disappointed that Strasburg injured himself moments before July 27th’s game.  I get it -  Things happen at the last minute and other people have to step up to the play the game.

I’m disappointed becuase you didn’t communicate with your fans. 

The only reason that last nights game sold out was becuase Strasburg was the advertised starter.  While the team is getting better and have fans to support them, they don’t generally sell out unless Strasburg is on the mound. 

As a fan, I spent somewhere around $200 for last nights event including tickets and parking.  It was a summer dream come true for my boyfriend and myself to finally see Strasburg in person. 

Imagine our surprise when the starting players came onto the field and the 37 was nowhere to be found.

Surely this was a joke.  Surely this was a mistake.  Surely we would be told what was going on.

No.  Nothing but silence.  It was as though Strasburg didn’t even exist.  Poor Batista was even booed due to shcocked fans hearing his name.

Why didn’t you communicate with us, Nationals?  Isn’t that an integral part of a relationship?  Your silence was painfuly deafening and we had to turn to our friends and family NOT at the game for an update.

Chatter went through the crowd, “couldn’t get loose….” “injured during warmups…”

So we knew he was out, but you didn’t say anything.  You let us sit there for 3 painful innings, wondering what was going on before you finally made a 15 second announcement. 

You failed us in your communication skills, Nationals, and I’m very disappointed.

Simeon Varlamov is my new favorite person on earth.  The kid just turned 21 a week ago, has reflexes like a cat and can play defense when the Capitals are struggling, thus shouldering the entire team until the rest of them can get it together.  I often find myself yelling "DOESVARLY HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING!??!"  

During the first game of the Caps/Penns series, we saw Varly make a ridiculously awesome save.  I mean, RIDICULOUSLY awesome.  If you haven't seen it, watch it here.  The kid has so much potential that I just want to make him some cookies, wrap them in saran wrap, tie a bow around them and say "thank you."  He is a beast and I am immensely grateful to have him on our team. 

Then of course we have Ovechkin.  Kid (yes, I refer to him as that - he is  after all, 23.) scored a freaking hat trick during tonights game and I nearly peed my pants.  I love his enthusiasm.  I love that he plays like a kid and plays like every goal is Christmas morning. 

I love, love, love it, ya'll.  If you haven't been watching this series - you should.