ECQF: (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets | Caps Lead Series 3-2

[Robert]

A few things...

1. Never count out a team that lost 2 in OT... its a close series and Washington can get back into it.

With respect... Based on home ice advantage it's not that close.... That said... If the Capitals can win three games in Columbus they deserve the series.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I picked Washington in 5.

I now change that to Columbus in 4.

 

[Robert]

I picked Washington in 5.

I now change that to Columbus in 4.

You changed it up Rock.... I know you did... 9???

Whatever... It's either sweep or CBJ in 6.... book it...

 

[Revelation]

How many PPs did you need to get that?

Yeah because they're getting 8 shots a PP lol

 

[Robert]

Yeah because they're getting 8 shots a PP lol

Seven PP's.... Three goalie interference??? WTF is that about? Caps had the advantage in the second game and still lost.... just sayin..

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Start Holtby next game, please.

 

[Sam Spade]

Caps are the Caps the outcome of the games/series is totally expected.

Two more games and they move on from Trotz, hire Reirdon (the heir apparent apparently), and start again.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Caps are the Caps the outcome of the games/series is totally expected.

Two more games and they move on from Trotz, hire Reirdon (the heir apparent apparently), and start again.

When the series is tied at 2?

 

[supsens]

This is actually proving his point. Hockey is not only numbers, the will to win and to inspire your team to win is just as important for a captain. I don't see Ovechkin as that guy, and I don't blame him at this point for it. The blame is on management for continuing to put OV in that position.

Ovy plays hard, competes hard and scores two goals, if that doesn’t get the team inspired I’m thinking the team has issues.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Ovy plays hard, competes hard and scores two goals, if that doesn’t get the team inspired I’m thinking the team has issues.

That first wrister was classic Ovechkin.

 

[Sam Spade]

When the series is tied at 2?

Two/three/four more games, does it really matter? The outcome is inevitable.

And again, both teams are just trying to win the race to see who can get smoked by the Pens anyway.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Two/three/four more games, does it really matter? The outcome is inevitable.

And again, both teams are just trying to win the race to see who can get smoked by the Pens anyway.

What if Philadelphia defeats Pittsburgh? They have a good chance.

 

[Sam Spade]

What if Philadelphia defeats Pittsburgh? They have a good chance.

I like you're optimism but it's never gonna happen. Flyers stink defensively and in net, you can survive one, not both.

 

[Club]

This has been my favorite series so far, pretty under hyped imo

 

[vippe]

There's a difference between being outplayed by the other guy and playing badly. Hypothetical example: One goalie has a 1.50 GAA and .940 save pct. in a series, the other goalie has a 2.00 GAA and a .920 save pct. in that series. Just because the second guy got outplayed, it doesn't mean he played badly or is the reason his team lost.

But your hypothetical scenario doesnt fit the bill here.
Holtby didnt have a .920sv% this series, he was bad. Goaltending decided that series.

Sub .900 in the series, Sub .900 in 4 games out of 7 games. You arent going to win against the Pens with a sub 900 saving percentage. It's just not happening.

With that said, Holtby should get the next start. Grubauer didnt take his chance.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

I like you're optimism but it's never gonna happen. Flyers stink defensively and in net, you can survive one, not both.

Pittsburgh doesn't have the best defense, either. This is why we're having many high-scoring goals between those two teams.

 

[Sam Spade]

Pittsburgh doesn't have the best defense, either. This is why we're having many high-scoring goals between those two teams.

But they have the goaltending and can score at will. Boston will be their only obstacle and in a seven game series I'm still taking the Pens.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

But they have the goaltending and can score at will. Boston will be their only obstacle and in a seven game series I'm still taking the Pens.

Tampa Bay and Nashville are powerful, too. This year's playoffs shouldn't be taken lightly.

 

[ncm7772]

I feel like the Caps problem is less Ovechkin and more overpaying guys like Orpik and making bad trades for Winnick, Erat, and Shattenkirk. If they had Forsberg and an upgrade on Orpik they'd be hard to beat and could have possibly won a cup already. I say that as a Pens fan.

Giving Brooks Orpik the $ they did was simply asinine. He was one of Pittsburgh's best players the last two playoffs.

I also believe that overall, their bottom six is one of the worst in the league.

As bad as it looks for the Caps though, I still think they'll make a series out of this.

 

[Brock Radunske]

I'm not sure it's as much the Capitals choking as it is the Blue Jackets not getting enough respect. They are huge, heavy team with really mobile defenseman and a multiple Vezina winning goalie. It was only a matter of time before they uncorked on a team in the playoffs.

 

[edog37]

Ovy plays hard, competes hard and scores two goals, if that doesn’t get the team inspired I’m thinking the team has issues.

Ovechkin plays predictable. Never goes below the dots nor plays in the dirty areas. He’s a perimeter player...always has been...

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Ovechkin plays predictable. Never goes below the dots nor plays in the dirty areas. He’s a perimeter player...always has been...

And...that method has worked a great deal during the season and playoffs.

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

I'm not sure it's as much the Capitals choking as it is the Blue Jackets not getting enough respect. They are huge, heavy team with really mobile defenseman and a multiple Vezina winning goalie. It was only a matter of time before they uncorked on a team in the playoffs.

It's a miracle what playing a non Pittsburgh team in the first round can do.

I do think, based on their play, the series should be 1-1 but Washington simply failed in big moments and dont capitalize on their chances. Hell they had the game won but Wilson simply whiffed on an open net. They had a 3 on 1 late and could not convert.

Jackets have not missed many opportunities this series and Washington has missed quite a few. Is it luck or skill? A little of both. Washington may be getting into their own head too much.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

It's a miracle what playing a non Pittsburgh team in the first round can do.

I do think, based on their play, the series should be 1-1 but Washington simply failed in big moments and dont capitalize on their chances. Hell they had the game won but Wilson simply whiffed on an open net. They had a 3 on 1 late and could not convert.

Jackets have not missed many opportunities this series and Washington has missed quite a few. Is it luck or skill? A little of both. Washington may be getting into their own head too much.

Washington is probably the best opponent you can have. Don't get so complacent; Columbus has a long way to go, given the fact that there's still Pittsburgh, Nashville, Tampa Bay, and Boston in the playoffs.

 

[Anisimovs AK]

Would be more believable if the caps didn't pile 54 shots on Bob

Except the shot totals were pretty even until the Jackets played more than half of of the 3rd and OT on the pk.

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