ECF: (1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (1) Washington Capitals | Series tied 3-3

[Hockeyholic]

I think you are really underestimating Holtby. I think because of him these games will be closer than you think.

He's not superior enough to Vasi to outweigh the advantage TB has on forward, D, and even coaching. But it'll take a Hasek like goaltending clinic to win this series.

 

[Dont Toews Me Bro]

I have absolutely no history of picking NHL, NFL, and MLB series and am not good at it. My picks as follows:

Lightning in 7.

Clearly.

 

[syz]

Will be interesting to see if the Caps can stay focused or if beating the Penguins was basically their cup.

Think Tampa in 5 or 6 anyways.

 

[Sticksandsun]

Tampa in 6 but should be a great series

 

[BoltsFanPinellasPark]

I was hoping we'd draw the Pens for personal reasons. Oh well, time to read up on the Capitals and see what the home town team is up against.

Anyone besides the obvious starts I should get to know?

I think some names that the Caps will be hearing about for the first time, Cirelli and Gourde and Sergachev. Hoping the Caps get to know them well

 

[DopeyFish]

Lots of soft Russians in this series.

So what you're saying is toughness gets you nowhere

 

[Ainec]

I feel like there's too many injuries for the Caps this year, and they lost some good players in the off-season

That and Tampa by some miracle is one of the healthiest team in these playoffs..

Eh I hope it's gona be a good one

 

[PB12]

He's not superior enough to Vasi to outweigh the advantage TB has on forward, D, and even coaching. But it'll take a Hasek like goaltending clinic to win this series.

Well when Holtby is on his game, he is one of the best in the NHL. He did a great job against Pittsburgh and made the tough saves. Tampa might need the "fluke" goals to destroy Holtby, but until then i think these games will still be close.

 

[illpucks]

Depends on backstrom injury

And Burakovsky.

 

[Whitehawk1186]

Tampa is a better team in every aspect. They are faster and deeper offensively, Hedman, Stralman and/or McDonagh are on the ice 90% of the time, and have the better goalie.

Tampa in 5, maybe 6

 

[txpd]

This is great. Not only are the Caps free of the monkey on their back but it seems to be concensus here that they have no shot against TB. That's a perfect set up

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

Can't wait to see this again.

 

[Blades of Steel]

Two top east teams meeting up in the ECF, that's pretty cool. So let's assume a sweep!

 

[God King Fudge]

This is great. Not only are the Caps free of the monkey on their back but it seems to be concensus here that they have no shot against TB. That's a perfect set up

I mean if the perfect setup is getting past the Pens finally and then getting dunked on, then yes it is.

 

[PB12]

Can't wait to see this again.

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Different goaltender than he was a month ago

 

[CupsOverCash]

Can't wait to see this again.

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Holtby has seen it enough in his nightmares.

 

[BoltsFanPinellasPark]

This is great. Not only are the Caps free of the monkey on their back but it seems to be concensus here that they have no shot against TB. That's a perfect set up

FWIW, they still have to play the games. Tampa Bay was going to be the favorites anyways, no revelation here and no connection to being free of monkeys. That said, Bolts shook off some old dust to make it this far as well.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

It feels so weird when Tampa is the favorite.

Caps in 2-0. Bolts moved to Québec City for games 3 & 4

 

[txpd]

I mean if the perfect setup is getting past the Pens finally and then getting dunked on, then yes it is.

Its the idea that they don't belong on the ice with TB that sets them up to do more than you think possible. Getting dunked on. OK brah. Have fun

 

[God King Fudge]

 

[txpd]

FWIW, they still have to play the games. Tampa Bay was going to be the favorites anyways, no revelation here and no connection to being free of monkeys. That said, Bolts shook off some old dust to make it this far as well.

Favorite? Fine. Getting dunked on and run off the ice is an entirely different thing

 

[VainGretzky]

Caps in 7 keeping with gut feeling they come out of east this year , also solid up and down roster

 

[LeafSadist]

Tampa in 6.

 

[DFC]

This is great. Not only are the Caps free of the monkey on their back but it seems to be concensus here that they have no shot against TB. That's a perfect set up

Yeah, as a TB fan, I'm way more comfortable when the Bolts are underdogs. They love having something to prove. The Caps have a lot to prove here.

 

[Buckets and Gloves]

caps finally slated the dragon... will ride that momentum to a cup