MAO of the Week (10-5)

The Capitals season starts tonight, and a few are (shudder) less than optimistic regarding its potentially glorious potential. Maybe these professional hockey writers downgrading the Capitals yet again neglected the blue-collar manner in which the Caps scrapped so passionately last year before succumbing to airborne microbes and gimpy knees. Maybe they didn't pay attention when the Caps locked in three golden goose free agents to infuse the squad with much needed talents, grits, and goals. Perhaps they had no recollection of the likely Calder winner suiting up in one of those slick new jerseys for the first time, adding even more young offensive talent. Nope, apparently they don't have the foresightedness of our Manny Acta Optimist of the Week for this season opening Friday, espn.com's brilliant Scott Burnside. This nationally recognized professional hockey writer working for a major online news publication saw all of these pieces that both the DCO and our new homey Ted Leonsis already saw, picking the Caps as the "season's surprise story."

In part one of a who-knows-how-many-part series, Burnside details the brilliant foundation of the squad, beginning with their luscious Russian wingers, the brand-new state-of-the-art practice facility, and the enthusiastic response to this now completed product. He even notes some positive preseason statistics, including the Caps newfound defensiveness and disdain for the other team's shot-taking.

"During the preseason, the team gave up fewer than 20 shots in four of seven
games and allowed an average of almost 10 fewer shots per game during the
preseason over 2006-07."

Sweet statistics for a team whose defense, like playoff baseball performances in Philadelphia, was subpar.

Like Mr. Burnside, we too see greatness having already been brewed over at Kettler, and we will be happy to report first-hand that greatness fruitioned from the Verizon Center tomorrow evening, as both DCO representatives will be in the press box, getting our 'legitimate journo' thing on. Might more "tough questions" be asked to your favorite players? Stay tuned to find out.