Why the Caps were destined for failure...

The hockey world rang in 2008 with Michigan beating the defending national champions in football. No, no, I am kidding the Penguins beat the Sabres in the inaugural Winter Classic. The Penguins went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals. No big deal, right? The following year the Winter Classic was hosted by Chicago and won by the Red Wings. The Red Wings went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Fast forward, 2010 Winter Classic is between Boston and Philly and heralded by some as the worst pairing in the games illustrious three year history. Nonetheless, similar to the previous two Winter Classic's a team from that game went on to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The only difference is that this time around the team that lost on New Years Day is representing their conference in the Cup Finals. The odds of a team from each of the three Winter Classics playings the Cup Finals has to be pretty slim. I am not a Vegas insider but I would love to know exactly what the odds of that happening are.

More importantly is the fact that every team to play in the Stanley Cup finals over the past three seasons has played in a Winter Classic. It is probably just a coincidence, but I do not doubt the power of the "hockey Gods." Maybe there is a real correlation between playing in the Winter Classic and reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, but who knows?

In a scenario where the Flyers win the Cup, then the so called "Winter Classic Curse" is lifted (though it only lasted two seasons). Regardless, I think there is very little doubt that the Caps will not be playing on NBC come New Years Days 2011. I have a funny feeling the trend will continue, and the Caps will find themselves playing in not only the first game of the New Year, but also the last game of the 2010-2011 (yes, I am predicting they play in the Stanley Cup Finals). Two proverbial phrases come to mind, both have somewhat contradicting messages "hope springs eternal" and "good things come to those who wait" but let's hope for the latter.