Syd Butler is the bassist for Les Savy Fav, a New York-based band considered among the godfathers of the independent rock music scene. Butler founded the Frenchkiss Records label, with the intent to release the band’s albums, and has since signed over 35 bands, including the Hold Steady, Thunderbirds Are Now, and the Dodos. Ever since growing up in the Washington D.C. area, Syd has been a die-hard Washington Capitals fan. He can’t wait to see what the Stanley Cup Playoffs bring for his Caps.


GAME 3:


The Good: The third and fourth line scoring. Huet rebounded and did his best to keep them in the game. Federov – he is a class act all around. I would be happy if he married my daughter. I hope he stays around…he’s a true gentleman. Green has stepped up. He’s a great player and I hope to see him for years to come.


The Bad: Backstrom, where are those tape to tape passes? Semin, we know you can stick handle…you’re amazing at it. Where is the shot? That backhand? We need you buddy! I know you’re trying but we need you to smile out there a bit more. When you smile, you score.


It’s been hard to watch the Caps have moments of brilliance, beat the odds all the way down the stretch to win the division, and then, after making the playoffs, still be the same team yet …so exhausted. In Game 3 it took them a period to wake up and realize they were in the playoffs, to remember that they were the team that won Game 1. Then they played better, they started to skate, and they scored to make it a 1 goal game. But the Flyers scored with one minute left in the period, killing their momentum (a nice pass and a nice goal).


Going into the third period, the Caps once again had to climb uphill but like Sisyphus, they never really gained ground (or ice).


I still believe the Caps can come back, but they need to play hockey; they are too in their heads. They need to move their legs and get desperate. Last night with just under five minutes to go, they found themselves desperate again. They started to play and started to skate. Ovie, all of a sudden, was alive. They need this for three more games because if not, Philly will build on this game and put the Caps on vacation.


Is it time to call Ollie to play goal? No offense to the brilliant play of Huet, but just for physical presence? A change of mojo?


I hesitate to bring up this comment, but outside of Philly or Flyers fans, I don’t think anyone wants Philly to win. No offense to “The city of brotherly love” or “The other Brooklyn borough,” but I think you have to have been born in Philly, or have your family from Philly, to be a Flyers fan. I don’t know if you will find a Canadian Flyers fan or a Russian Flyers fan – they just are not a charming team. The team doesn’t promote all aspects of the game. During whistles and/or stoppages in play, the arena show hits and fights on the jumbotron – not great goals and or saves.


The part of the game that upset me the most (besides the stupid mistakes our defense made…Jurcina, I’m talking to you!) was the time the Philly fans chanted “&#@ hole” when Ovie went down with a knee collision. It was in bad taste. When your team is winning and playing well, and you insult the opposing team by chanting insults and obscenities at one of the game’s top players, what does that say about you? Montreal is a great hockey town – they do not chant &#@ hole. Detroit? No sir… I know it is hockey, but Ovechkin is a huge part of the future of hockey. Stars like Ovie, and yes, Cosby too, are good for the game overall. And it’s best for them to get to play the game of hockey, not be hurt from some knee-on-knee hit. The reaction from the stands in Philly was a bad message from Philly and it seems indicative of this city. The fans tonight were like bad fathers. I would hate to be their son.


I hope in Game 4, win or lose, the Flyers and their fans are better ambassadors, as they host their team in the playoffs.