ECSF Game 6: Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 PM ET | SN, TVAS, NBCSN

[ColePens]

MATCH: Penguins vs. Capitals
SERIES: Second Round, 3-2 WSH
TIME: 7 p.m. EST
PLACE: PPG Paints Arena
TV: NBCSN
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X​

5 THINGS
1. The Pens face elimination for the first time this playoffs. The team is 4-0 all-time in elimination games under head coach Mike Sullivan. The last time the club trailed 3-2 in a series was in the 2016 Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay.

2. Jake Guentzel (21 points) and Sidney Crosby (20) rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the NHL in postseason scoring.

3. Crosby scored his 66th career playoff goal in Game 5, surpassing Jaromir Jagr for 2nd place on the team's all-time list - 10 behind leader Mario Lemieux.

4. Washington's Nicklas Backstrom suffered an upper-body injury in Game 5. He traveled to Pittsburgh and is expected to be in the lineup for Game 6.

5. The Caps used rookie Jakub Vrana on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov in place of the suspended Tom Wilson. He recorded 3 points (1G-2A), including the game-winning goal. The top line combined for 7 points (2G-5A).

Game Preview: Pens-Caps (Game 6)



If this is it
If this is the game that ends this insane wave that we've been riding, it's been one hell of a ride. I know it will be bittersweet, but pop a champagne bottle and celebrate an epic journey that probably will never be duplicated.

Never forget how blessed we are to have Mario, Sid, Jagr, Geno and be able to enjoy hockey the way we have. 5 Stanley Cups since 1990. Some teams would kill for one. It's been such an amazingly blessed and fun journey to share with friends and family. If tonight we come up short, just kick back and think about how truly awesome it has been.

Never forget what Badger said - "It's a Great Day For Hockey" and if you need another great Badger quote:

"I'm always optimistic. It's the only way to live life, ya know? Don't hang your head. Life is too short. Every day is a bonus. Don't ever forget that. It's a bonus." ~ Bob Johnson

Pittsburgh Penguins:
Guentzel-Crosby-Simon
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Sheahan-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Brassard-Rust

Dumoulin-Letang
Oleksiak-Schultz
Maatta-Ruhwedel

Murray


Washington Capitals:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Vrana
Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-DSP
???-Beagle-Chiasson

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos

Holtby

​

Click to read more...

 

[66-30-33]

Go Pens!

 

[LegendaryNumber5]

 

[CupsOverCash]

LETS GO PENS! I feel dirty saying this.

 

[Grandma Bingo]

LETS GO PENS! I feel dirty saying this.

"Let's Go Pens" are the most natural and wonderful three words in the English language.

Just ahead of "God Bless You", "I love you", and "Test was negative".

 

[kladorf2005]

I know people will disagree with me, but the Caps losing Backstrom would actually be a very big deal. Bigger than the Pens losing Malkin earlier in the series. Astronomically larger than the Caps losing Wilson in the middle of the series.

Success in the NHL starts down the middle. The Caps having a complete two-way center in Backstrom along with an offensively gifted center in Kuzy, has provided a nice one-two punch. Backstrom would be a big hole that cannot be filled by one guy. Going to take a team effort to win without him.

 

[66-30-33]

"Test was negative".

Not sure if I wanna know or not.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Not sure if I wanna know or not.

Just know it was negative

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

I know people will disagree with me, but the Caps losing Backstrom would actually be a very big deal. Bigger than the Pens losing Malkin earlier in the series. Astronomically larger than the Caps losing Wilson in the middle of the series.

Success in the NHL starts down the middle. The Caps having a complete two-way center in Backstrom along with an offensively gifted center in Kuzy, has provided a nice one-two punch. Backstrom would be a big hole that cannot be filled by one guy. Going to take a team effort to win without him.

Who would disagree with that

 

[brewski420]

I know people will disagree with me, but the Caps losing Backstrom would actually be a very big deal. Bigger than the Pens losing Malkin earlier in the series. Astronomically larger than the Caps losing Wilson in the middle of the series.

Success in the NHL starts down the middle. The Caps having a complete two-way center in Backstrom along with an offensively gifted center in Kuzy, has provided a nice one-two punch. Backstrom would be a big hole that cannot be filled by one guy. Going to take a team effort to win without him.

I can't disagree with this. I bet he plays and actually hope he does. I think Pens win tonight regardless.

 

[DitchMarner]

Let's Go Caps!

 

[Grandma Bingo]

Let's Go Caps!

Conversely, these three words are the worst of the worst in the English language....

even below "God Damn You", "I Hate You", and "Test was positive".

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Prediction: Caps win, then go on to get utterly stomped in the ECF, making absolutely nobody happy except Tampa fans.

 

[BernieParent]

Not sure if I wanna know or not.

IQ

 

[PensandCaps]

If Washington wins, they should have their own stanley cup in the building and celebrate like they actually won the cup. Even have ring ceremonies and a banner raised. Why not.

 

[OttawaKing]

Bold prediction: OVI and Crosby both get a hat-trick but somebody random, let's say Connolly, wins it for Washington.

 

[kihei]

It seems like the type of game that Pittsburgh always win.

 

[Grandma Bingo]

Penguins that need to "do better" if they're going to win tonight, in order:

Kris Letang
Matt Murray
Phil Kessel
Brian Rust

Nobody is talking about what an awful playoffs Brian Rust is having - after a solid year and a reputation as a playoff performer. He has been invisible this playoffs.

 

[PensandCaps]

Penguins that need to "do better" if they're going to win tonight, in order:

Kris Letang
Matt Murray
Phil Kessel
Brian Rust

Nobody is talking about what an awful playoffs Brian Rust is having - after a solid year and a reputation as a playoff performer. He has been invisible this playoffs.

No wonder he sucks these playoffs, his evil twin Brian is playing.

 

[Zazzaro703]

Let's just hope the Capitals don't have to defeat the officials too because the Pens are facing elimination and draw better tv ratings.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

IQ

 

[HunterSThompson]

Not sure if I wanna know or not.

Brain scan.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

Let's just hope the Capitals don't have to defeat the officials too because the Pens are facing elimination and draw better tv ratings.

Really... with this nonsense?

 

[PensandCaps]

Let's just hope the Capitals don't have to defeat the officials too because the Pens are facing elimination and draw better tv ratings.

I hope otherwise.

 

[66-30-33]

Brain scan.

IQ

Jesus you guys leave Letang ALONE!