This is it folks.  The trade deadline has come and passed.  GMGM has made his moves.  This team is your Washington Capitals for the remainder of the season.  This roster could be the one forever stamped on Lord Stanley's sacred chalice.  What you do you think about this team?  Does this team look like a champion?  Does it feel like it can take four of seven from the NHL's elite squads? 

Admittedly, it's hard to really process these thoughts right now.  The deadline just passed.  There's no way to completely predict the full impact Arnott, Sturm, and Wideman will have on this team.  We probably won't even really know how good or bad a fit they make for a few weeks.  Remember Scott Hannan's first several games? Let's not.

And we can't forget last season.  It's extremely difficult to quantify this mediocre season after last season's fantastic run ended so tragically short in the playoffs. It's compounded by the fact that a Philly team that barely reached the playoffs (by shootout!) won the Eastern Conference Championship. 

Last time this year the only reason Caps fans glanced at the stands was to see who we might face in the first round of the playoffs.  This year is a bit different.

There are 19 games left.  The Caps are in 5th place.  First place in the conference is out of the question, but winning the division is completely in reach.  There's also plenty of time to fall out of the top eight.

Here are the Caps final 19 games:

Even if the Caps continue to play like they have for the last several months it's not bleak picture, right?  Using the very scientific and very basic theorem of "Who They Should Beat" there's no reason this team can't go 14-5. 

It's completely acceptable to expect losses to teams like the Lightning (though a win would be important), Red Wings (on the backend of a back-to-back), and the Flyers.  And there's always the teams on runs like the Devils, Blackhawks, and Maple Leafs. But realistically, and especially with this retooled team, it is not excessive to expect upwards of fourteen Ws.  The Capitals should have no problem with the floundering Senators, the rebuilding Panthers, or desperate Hurricanes.

14-5.  It's not hard to contemplate.  In fact, it should GMGM's expectations.

14-5.  It get's the Caps to a 104 points.  According to last season that's second place in the east.  Where this damn team should be. 

14-5.  That's an elite team's record heading down the stretch.

14-5.  That's the kind of record that paves the way for a Stanley Cup.

It begins tonight.

"I think early on in the year that both goaltenders will play a significant amount. There is no such thing as a No. 1 or a No. 2 goalie. When push comes to shove, probably around game 50, we will know who we will go with. I don’t have to make that decision, because the goalies will make those decisions for us with regard to who is better."

- Coach Bruce Boudreau, in his 9-28-09 "Behind the Bench" column.