After taking some time to digest, I have some thoughts about that first round:
This was never about the Caps. This is the Panthers’ story.
My dad has this belief especially in sports that he likes to call “due theory,” and the way it works is if someone has had a long drought or say the power play has been 0 for its last 20 or something, he’ll say “Oh they’re due. Due theory.” Basically saying their fortunes will change because they’re owed one, or their luck won’t stay that same way forever. I think you get the gist.
Anyway, while preparing to watch overtime of Game 6, he said: “Due theory! Caps are due” rooting for an OT winner. And obviously that didn’t happen, but later I realized that due theory did in fact apply to OT, just not for the Caps, because the Panthers’ due theory was stronger. They haven’t won a playoff round since 1996. They’ve never won a Cup ever. Caps have done both of those things very recently. Florida’s due theory simply won out; it wasn’t our time.
While we may be disappointed, it just simply isn’t about us. This is the Panthers’ journey, and we were simply a stepping stone on their path. I personally believe a Battle of Florida rematch was simply destined to happen; any Panthers path to the Cup has to have them beating their most bitter rivals (Tampa) along the way, much like the Caps had to beat Pittsburgh along their way; coincidentally it also happened to be in the second round when their rivals were two-time reigning Cup Champs. This is their moment, their story, and tbh I can feel a little bit of the magic there. As much as we may not like it, we were simply supporting characters, and it’s time to sit back and let the story unfold.
If anyone needs me during the Lightning vs Panthers game tonight, I will be stress crying because I don’t know who to cheer for and I love Joe Thornton
