Washington Capitals

Capitals to take on Maple Leafs
April 4, 2017, 3:51 PM ET [23 Comments]
James Tanner
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Perspective is a funny thing - it's entirely too easy to get caught up in your own, so much so that when you do get a different perspective, things can be radically different to the point of surrealness.

Not that that is often the case; but the point it is, even though we don't often think and/or talk about it, it's a huge deal. I mean, we argue things and/or are persuaded every single day, almost by the minute.

For most of that stuff, you can't and won't ever know who was right, so most of us keep to ourselves and are shocked when a change of perspective is forced upon us. Whether this comes in the form of empathy, or just realizing something new, it's often important and never less than interesting.

It's funny, given the hyper-partisan times we live in, that another perspective, or empathy for other people, their ideas or their situation has never been lower. Of course, I can't measure or prove that, but it's certainly how it feels. By which I mean, that what's a right or a wrong answer often depends on how you feel and not what's really true.



An argument like the Olympics is interesting because there is no right answer. From the Owners perspective, it's a bad business deal. From a players, it transcends business.

So one that about perspective that is interesting, at least to me, is writing about various teams and seeing things from different ways that I otherwise wouldn't have.

For instance, I've been writing about the Arizona Coyotes for three years. I didn't used to care anything about them, but if you follow any team regularly, it turns out you'll build up some feelings about them.

They're in last place.

It's difficult to write about them at this point because the games don't matter, the roster moves are superficial and it's basically all over but the crying, as far as the season goes.

From a Capitals perspective, they locked up a playoff birth about six months ago. All that's really left to do here is wonder who they want to face in the playoffs and speculate about who is the best matchup.

Though they're in much better position, like the Coyotes, the regular season has ceased to matter, just in far different and much better ways.

Which brings us to the Maple Leafs. My home town and favorite team. The Leafs - excepting two or three fun-filled years - have been terrible for basically my entire life.

So now I'm seeing a third side of this time of year - the best time. The Leafs have been the best team in hockey now for about a month, they are something like 11-2-1 over that time and they still aren't guaranteed to make it.

I don't really have like a profound point to make or anything - and if you came here looking for that, well, I don't think you have chosen well - I just think it' s somewhat instructive to think about perspective from time to time.

(Read in Liv Schrieber voice) Tonight, the Leafs will play the Capitals. For some, so much is on the line. For other, only dreams of the future matter. The NHL. The Olympics. We are all connected. blah blah blah.