Unless a miracle finish, bring on the Capitals again

[jeemie]

Third straight year in the second round, it’s looking like, as the Caps lead Columbus 5-2 with 14 minutes left.

Being ‘em on! Let’s rip their hearts out again!

[Legacy User]

looking that way...was hoping for jackets but ..

[jeemie]

And up to the north, Toronto playing some inspired hockey to try and force a Game 7.

Definitely some energy in that building given today’s events.

[jeemie]

3-1 Leafs now on an empty-netter, although the Leafs ought to have been whistled for interference on the goal.

[Legacy User]

so when will caps pens start?

[drmalba]

I love you guys and all, but we *really* need to stop meeting like this...

[swissvale72]

I love you guys and all, but we *really* need to stop meeting like this...

Hey Doc; good to see you back!! Hopefully, it's the same ending, an annual event, a rite of Spring!!

[R_S]

has there been another team to so thoroughly dominate the regular season and so thoroughly suck in the playoffs in any major sport in the last decade ?

[drmalba]

has there been another team to so thoroughly dominate the regular season and so thoroughly suck in the playoffs in any major sport in the last decade ?

Come on man, the Bengals are in your own division.

[Louis Lipps Service]

has there been another team to so thoroughly dominate the regular season and so thoroughly suck in the playoffs in any major sport in the last decade ?

The Steelers?

Joking, joking.


Kind of...

[bradshaw2ben]

Hilarious. Pens are once again meeting the Caps in Round 2, and I am once again headed for D.C. next week, just like I did last year at this time. Omens.

[Orangesteel]

Great; another series where we get to see Ovechkin jump around like an 8 year old after he scores. Can’t wait.

[Orangesteel]

The way I see it, this Caps team isn’t as good as last years. Pens in 6.

[jeemie]

The way I see it, this Caps team isn’t as good as last years. Pens in 6.

We'll see.

Murray is still a concern. He'll have to play much, much better.

[Jobu]

Sooner or later...
Right?

[swissvale72]

Was going to post this during the last week of the regular season, but did not.

Last year, during Pens-Caps playoffs, seemed to me, as one that....doesn't know shit about hockey, that Caps attack was relentless, but Pens excelled in blocking shots, etc. During the Sunday nighter on April 1 this year, seemed as though Caps attack was not quite as relentless, but at one point in the game, Caps had 20 blocked shots to Pens 6. I tend to agree with Jeems about being worried about Pens D & goaltending. Was good to see Pens D shut down the Cryers in 3rd period Sunday, but they certainly had lapses during the series..and...Caps aren't the Cryers.

I DO though, put alot of stock in this Pens team simply knowing how to win...and Caps not having that quality.

[COR-TEN]

I DO though, put alot of stock in this Pens team simply knowing how to win...and Caps not having that quality.

From someone else that doesn't know shit about hockey, if the pens were beaten two years in a row by the caps on their way to successive stanley cup wins, how would crosby and the pens feel?

Asked what he thinks about meeting the pens, Ovechkin said "I can't wait" with a shit eating grin.

Considering the pens D and Murray looking average half the time, I'm not looking forward to this matchup.

[Orangesteel]

Yeah, I’m not either, but I’m actually glad we get the Caps over BOS/TOR/TB. I think even though the Pens are 2x champs, they seem to be quietly going about their business. Caps now have a ton of added pressure on them; possibly lose to the Pens in the 2nd round 3 straight years?

BOS and TB are very strong; both will be tough. But look out for TOR. After that maniac asshole did what he did yesterday, that team is now on a mission to bring some joy to that city.

Just wish the Pens would have home ice. Why those poor games back in November/December actually mean a lot now (though Pens were road warriors against the Flyers)

[R_S]

has there been another team to so thoroughly dominate the regular season and so thoroughly suck in the playoffs in any major sport in the last decade ?

Come on man, the Bengals are in your own division.

Had the bungals been getting 1 and 2 seeds you'd have an argument.

[fractalsteel]

Inevitable.

I will be surprised if this series doesn't go 6-7 games.

The health of Hagelin and Malkin are questions right now.

Have to find ways to get Sheahan more minutes in this series because he was good against Philly.

[SteelPro]

Inevitable.

I will be surprised if this series doesn't go 6-7 games.

The health of Hagelin and Malkin are questions right now.

Have to find ways to get Sheahan more minutes in this series because he was good against Philly.

Probably. But I also think the first game of this series will be huge. Given the roadblock the Penguins and the second round of the playoffs have been for the Caps, the result of Game 1 is going to have a very large effect on their psyche.

[Pabst]

I DO though, put alot of stock in this Pens team simply knowing how to win...and Caps not having that quality.

From someone else that doesn't know shit about hockey, if the pens were beaten two years in a row by the caps on their way to successive stanley cup wins, how would crosby and the pens feel?

Asked what he thinks about meeting the pens, Ovechkin said "I can't wait" with a shit eating grin.

Considering the pens D and Murray looking average half the time, I'm not looking forward to this matchup.

TBH, the Caps weren't much better on the defensive end in their series.

Washington was significantly outshot in the last 2 games. The difference was Holtby vs Playoff Bob (who completely shit the bed in games 5 & 6), plus the Caps lopsided advantage on special teams.

Really, the BJs had a good (not great) #1 line and an elite top defensive pairing. That's it. The Pens attack is significantly better (and deeper). Washington & Pittsburgh were fairly even on PK during the regular season, Pens were better on the PP.

[Pabst]

Inevitable.

I will be surprised if this series doesn't go 6-7 games.

The health of Hagelin and Malkin are questions right now.

Have to find ways to get Sheahan more minutes in this series because he was good against Philly.

Probably. But I also think the first game of this series will be huge. Given the roadblock the Penguins and the second round of the playoffs have been for the Caps, the result of Game 1 is going to have a very large effect on their psyche.

FWIW, the Pens are 2-8 in Game 1's against Washington.

[jeemie]

Inevitable.

I will be surprised if this series doesn't go 6-7 games.

The health of Hagelin and Malkin are questions right now.

Have to find ways to get Sheahan more minutes in this series because he was good against Philly.

Probably. But I also think the first game of this series will be huge. Given the roadblock the Penguins and the second round of the playoffs have been for the Caps, the result of Game 1 is going to have a very large effect on their psyche.

FWIW, the Pens are 2-8 in Game 1's against Washington.

Exactly.

It will take two games to tell the tale.

Come away with a split or better and we're fine, I think.

[SteelPro]

Inevitable.

I will be surprised if this series doesn't go 6-7 games.

The health of Hagelin and Malkin are questions right now.

Have to find ways to get Sheahan more minutes in this series because he was good against Philly.

Probably. But I also think the first game of this series will be huge. Given the roadblock the Penguins and the second round of the playoffs have been for the Caps, the result of Game 1 is going to have a very large effect on their psyche.

FWIW, the Pens are 2-8 in Game 1's against Washington.

I know. It is way more important to Washington. I think if they fall behind in this series they will crumble. We know the Pens have the mettle to overcome a deficit.

[COR-TEN]

I know. It is way more important to Washington. I think if they fall behind in this series they will crumble.

See, I have my doubts about that. It's definitely going to seven games in my mind. Craps had two season ending series to fix that lack of "mettle." I think they are hungrier than ever and without comparison to last year.

There were times in the philly series that the pens looked vulnerable. On multiple occasions. Last year, they didn't as much. At least for me, anyway.

The craps might not be the same team as last year, but then again, neither are the pens.

I guess I'm just trying to manage expectations. . .

[fractalsteel]

Inevitable.

I will be surprised if this series doesn't go 6-7 games.

The health of Hagelin and Malkin are questions right now.

Have to find ways to get Sheahan more minutes in this series because he was good against Philly.

Probably. But I also think the first game of this series will be huge. Given the roadblock the Penguins and the second round of the playoffs have been for the Caps, the result of Game 1 is going to have a very large effect on their psyche.

I'm thinking a split is a mission accomplished first two games. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if Washington comes out and handles us game 1 only to see the Birds win game 2.

[jeemie]

I know. It is way more important to Washington. I think if they fall behind in this series they will crumble.

See, I have my doubts about that. It's definitely going to seven games in my mind. Craps had two season ending series to fix that lack of "mettle." I think they are hungrier than ever and without comparison to last year.

There were times in the philly series that the pens looked vulnerable. On multiple occasions. Last year, they didn't as much. At least for me, anyway.

The craps might not be the same team as last year, but then again, neither are the pens.

I guess I'm just trying to manage expectations. . .

I’m where you are right now.

If we beat Washington again, I’ll feel better even though it will then be a quantum leap up on the level of competition from then on.

I’ve been managing my expectations all year long. Still have faith in Sullivan because a Pens’ team coached by him hasn’t lost in postseason yet...but I haven’t really felt a threepeat was in the cards all year long.

Crosby ha given me a little extra hope by coming out mostly on fire in the postseason...like he’s going to try and will this team past its vulnerabilities...but I need more consistent play from Murray and the D to truly believe.

[SteelPro]

I know. It is way more important to Washington. I think if they fall behind in this series they will crumble.

See, I have my doubts about that. It's definitely going to seven games in my mind. Craps had two season ending series to fix that lack of "mettle." I think they are hungrier than ever and without comparison to last year.

There were times in the philly series that the pens looked vulnerable. On multiple occasions. Last year, they didn't as much. At least for me, anyway.

The craps might not be the same team as last year, but then again, neither are the pens.

I guess I'm just trying to manage expectations. . .

Hunger has nothing to do with mettle. You either pass the test or you don't. And until you actually pass the test it is just natural to question whether you can. If the Caps get behind the eight ball you telling me you expect they'll be a poised team ready to stare down adversity? I think they'll start gripping their sticks like they are chocking the life out of them. They will have that 1000 yard stare and wear the "here we go again" faces. It is just like what happens when the Steelers play the Patriots.

[jeemie]

It is just like what happens when the Steelers play the Patriots.

I'm not used to my team being the Patriots.