Patience, My Young Jedi

Coach Dale Hunter got the first win of his tenure behind the Washington Capitals' bench last night as the team still adjusts to his system. Yes, the team hasn't looked amazing yet, but then again, there is much precedent for switching coaches mid-season and going onto much success. There's also history for teams who were floundering, didn't make many changes and ended up doing well.

One example sat across from Hunter Thursday night: Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma. He was hired in the middle of the 2009 season -- despite the fact that team had made it to the Stanley Cup finals the season before under another coach -- and lead the team to its first title since they repeated in 1991 and 1992. (There was a time when some folks weren't even sure if the Penguins would make the playoffs that season.)

Another case was the Detroit Red Wings, who have started many a season slowly only to turn it up in January and cruise to a division title and playoff success.

Let's not also forget the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, who didn't get into the playoffs until the last day of the regular season only to lose in the finals in six games.

Finally, there's Coach Bruce Boudreau's first season -- when the team famously went from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to the first of four straight Southeast Division titles.

This year's team is 13-11-1 (27 points in 25 games), second in the Southeast Division and tied for either in the Eastern Conference. Yes, it's not the place the team probably thought it would be on Dec. 4, but certainly it's not as bad as many have painted the picture.

There are still 57 games left in the regular season -- plenty of time for the team to take on Hunter's personality and reach the lofty goals it has set for itself.