Taking Stock of the Post-Deadline Capitals

This may seem an empty platitude, but it resonates more and more as a season progresses: Teams need to learn how to win the close games. There aren't going to be many 5-1 or 6-2 blowouts in the playoffs; teams that makes it into the second season have all the motivation they need to play with fire and determination. So it's encouraging that the past 4 Capitals games have been one-goal decisions, and the Caps are 2-1-1 in that stretch--true, that's hardly unquestioned dominance, but the Caps displayed an encouraging never-say-die attitude in all four games, particularly against Pittsburgh. And I would argue that, given the momentum at the end of regulation, Sunday's Caps-Pens tilt would have gone to the Caps if it were decided in the post-season rather than with a shootout. Regardless of that last hypothetical, the Caps' slump is no more. After the past few games, and in light of the possible return of Brian Pothier, the team's inaction at the trade de...