ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
MATCH: Penguins vs. Capitals
SERIES: Second Round, 0-0
TIME: 7 p.m. EST
PLACE: Capital One Arena
TV: NBCSN
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
Washington Capitals:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Stephenson-Backstrom-Boyd (Oshie)
Connolly-Eller-DSP
Vrana-Beagle-Chiasson
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Holtby
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Guentzel--Crosby--Hornqvist
Simon--Sheahan--Kessel
Sheary--Brassard--Rust
Aston-Reese--Rowney--Kuhnhackl
Dumoulin--Letang
Maatta--Schultz
Oleksiak--Ruhwedel
Murray
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Stephenson-Backstrom-Boyd (Oshie)
Connolly-Eller-DSP
Vrana-Beagle-Chiasson
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Holtby
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Guentzel--Crosby--Hornqvist
Simon--Sheahan--Kessel
Sheary--Brassard--Rust
Aston-Reese--Rowney--Kuhnhackl
Dumoulin--Letang
Maatta--Schultz
Oleksiak--Ruhwedel
Murray
X-factors
Penguins: Derick Brassard centers an effective third line with Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan chose to keep that line intact in Game 6 against the Flyers even though Evgeni Malkin, normally the second-line center, didn't play because of a lower-body injury. Sullivan moved Riley Sheahan up from the fourth line to replace Malkin because he wanted to keep Brassard's line together. Brassard had three points (one goal, two assists) against the Flyers.
Capitals: Lars Eller, the third-line center, will be a huge factor. They feel strongly that their top two centers, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov, can go toe-to-toe against Crosby and Malkin, if he's healthy. Eller has to make his line, with Brett Connolly and Devante Smith-Pelly on his wings, better than Brassard's line to give them a chance to have an advantage down the middle. Eller had two goals and averaged 17:08 of ice time in six games against Columbus. He plays on both special teams
Capitals vs. Penguins playoff preview
The History
- Caps are 8-2 in game 1 against the Pens. Pens are 9-1 in all time series.
- Caps are 8-2 in game 1 against the Pens. Pens are 9-1 in all time series.
- Caps have had three 2-0 series leads on the Pens, lost 'em all.
- 13 playoff OT games. Pens have won 9.
- Out of 10 series, 8 have gone at least 6 games.
- 13 playoff OT games. Pens have won 9.
- Out of 10 series, 8 have gone at least 6 games.
And because the injuries...