ECSF: (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins | Capitals Lead Series 3-2

[maacoshark]

Kuzy had adrenaline but it will fade over 60.Who do they recall?

Probably Boyd

 

[maacoshark]

I disagree. I think either of these teams can beat the Lightning.

You just assume the Lightning will advance.

 

[Gurglesons]

Exactly. Instead of recognizing their team has been playing superb and focused hockey, and that Holtby has been lights out, and that they're up 3-2 in a best of seven, some of these cap fans spend more time whining about how unfair life is than relishing the excellent position they're in. Geez, enjoy the freakin' series, you're probably going to win it.

It is particularly obnoxious. And by winning it you put all those stories to rest.

 

[pucky]

I will reiterate, the Pens' defence has some major problems with it. If it is not Letang being totally clueless when he has to be in his own zone defending or the majority of the Pens giving the puck away when they have possession (in their own zone - it just seemed like they had a countless number of giveaways) or their inability to stop counter rushes from the Caps, it's Murray deflating the Pens' tires with horrible goals at the worst of times.

Holtby stood on his head; he was solid. The Caps had goaltending, the Pens didn't. The Caps weathered the storm - 18 shots to 5 or whatever it was in the 2nd?!? But, the Pens are only up by 1 goal. This Caps team is not one you can run over. They might bend but they don't break. If the Pens can't get the goaltending and maybe chain Letang up to the neutral zone or maybe give him a brain transplant, they might be in trouble. Now, they HAVE TO WIN in order to get a game 7. It's nice to have their crowd behind them but also, Kessel, Guentzel and others have to be better than they've been.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I will reiterate, the Pens' defence has some major problems with it. If it is not Letang being totally clueless when he has to be in his own zone defending or the majority of the Pens giving the puck away when they have possession (in their own zone - it just seemed like they had a countless number of giveaways) or their inability to stop counter rushes from the Caps, it's Murray deflating the Pens' tires with horrible goals at the worst of times.

Holtby stood on his head; he was solid. The Caps had goaltending, the Pens didn't. The Caps weathered the storm - 18 shots to 5 or whatever it was in the 2nd?!? But, the Pens are only up by 1 goal. This Caps team is not one you can run over. They might bend but they don't break. If the Pens can't get the goaltending and maybe chain Letang up to the neutral zone or maybe give him a brain transplant, they might be in trouble. Now, they HAVE TO WIN in order to get a game 7. It's nice to have their crowd behind them but also, Kessel, Guentzel and others have to be better than they've been.

I agree with most of this. But to list Guentzel as a guy that needs to be better is nuts. The guy has 8 points in 5 games this series, 7 of them at even strength.

 

[Midnight Judges]

I will reiterate, the Pens' defence has some major problems with it. If it is not Letang being totally clueless when he has to be in his own zone defending or the majority of the Pens giving the puck away when they have possession (in their own zone - it just seemed like they had a countless number of giveaways) or their inability to stop counter rushes from the Caps, it's Murray deflating the Pens' tires with horrible goals at the worst of times.

Regarding the Pens' defense, it's not just the defensemen, it's the scheme. They constantly have 3 forwards deep in the offensive zone without a shred of a responsibility for getting back. Caps are starting odd man rushes from 10 feet in front of their own goal tender - as was the case on the game winner last night. This is why Crosby has scored a ton of points but is +/- zero in this series. He is not even remotely playing a 200 foot game, nor is he being asked to. His line is scoring a lot, and getting scored on just as much.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

You just assume the Lightning will advance.

It's pretty much a given.

 

[Finesse]

I agree with most of this. But to list Guentzel as a guy that needs to be better is nuts. The guy has 8 points in 5 games this series, 7 of them at even strength.

Right. Like, how could he be better???

 

[bring back the jets]

I disagree. I think either of these teams can beat the Lightning.

Same. Although, I thought had Boston beating them too.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Ogrezilla]

I was about to ask if there were any legit sources commenting on Backstrom. There we go.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

Backstrom is a warrior.

 

[harmonica]

Caps have also been missing Burakovsky, Kuz has a wrist injury, and Oshie has been injured and not practicing. So the entire top 6 of the Capitals have been hurt or out except maybe Ovie and who knows with him.

Yeah and for the Penguins the guys who are most likely playing with an injury are Malkin, Hagelin, Hornqvist, Kessel and Brassard. It's easy to make excuses, but excuses don't win Stanley Cups. You either battle through your misfortunes and win or you don't and lose.

 

[mad4comp]

This Caps team was an OT post away from being down 0-3 to Columbus. They're definitely beatable.

Caps were also 2 OT wins away from a series sweep... and a game 1 meltdown from a 4-1 series win over the Pens.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Caps were also 2 OT wins away from a series sweep... and a game 1 meltdown from a 4-1 series win over the Pens.

yep. Caps are a good team. I think they sweep round 1 with Holtby in from the start.

This series has been super close. I honestly think a few different bounces and this series could be over in either team's favor.

 

[g00n]

Yeah and for the Penguins the guys who are most likely playing with an injury are Malkin, Hagelin, Hornqvist, Kessel and Brassard. It's easy to make excuses, but excuses don't win Stanley Cups. You either battle through your misfortunes and win or you don't and lose.

Who's making excuses? I was responding to the Pens fans here who were talking about Pens injuries. Caps have their own. And they're still up 3-2 in the series. Way she goes.

 

[NYCGroundhog]

Holtby's been far better than Murray this series and that's why the Caps are ahead. The Pens have mostly dominated possession for the series, especially in Games 4 & 5, but Holtby's made some incredible saves and in numerous instances, the big saves that he's made while a Pens D-man is pinched has led to odd-man rushes that the Caps have, um, capitalized on.

 

[illpucks]

Holtby's been far better than Murray this series and that's why the Caps are ahead. The Pens have mostly dominated possession for the series, especially in Games 4 & 5, but Holtby's made some incredible saves and in numerous instances, the big saves that he's made while a Pens D-man is pinched has led to odd-man rushes that the Caps have, um, capitalized on.

Holtby has been good however Ovechkin won both game 3 and 5 for Caps

 

[Scotty Pucks]

Holtby's been far better than Murray this series and that's why the Caps are ahead. The Pens have mostly dominated possession for the series, especially in Games 4 & 5, but Holtby's made some incredible saves and in numerous instances, the big saves that he's made while a Pens D-man is pinched has led to odd-man rushes that the Caps have, um, capitalized on.

This. Braden ******* Holtby.

Also - the Penguins sure are good at giving up goals early and late in periods, huh?

If the Caps can pot an early one tomorrow, the air will get sucked out of that embarrassingly quiet building and it’ll be smooth sailing to the long awaited series victory over them.

 

[Beau Knows]

It's pretty cool that Ovechkin and Crosby first faced off in the playoffs almost 10 years ago now and yet they are still dominating these series's. Both have been spectacular once again.

Murray certainly doesn't quite look like his usual self, while Holtby has played very well.

I missed the game last night, but from the highlights and the post-game talk it sounds like the Pens finally started to get some better play from their bottom 6, they will need it if they hope to comeback here. If Backstrom is out or hampered by injury the Penguins depth really needs to step up and win their matchups.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

It's pretty cool that Ovechkin and Crosby first faced off in the playoffs almost 10 years ago now and yet they are still dominating these series's. Both have been spectacular once again.

Not just the series but the season as well. They've been at the top of the league for 13 years now.

 

[Scotty Pucks]

“Ovechkin with a pass in front... Vrana - scores!!!” Love intermission highlights. Keith is giving Coach Trotz lots of Kudos for moving Jakub with Ovi and Kuzy. That was a very savvy move.

 

[Bjorn Le]

Holtby's been far better than Murray this series and that's why the Caps are ahead. The Pens have mostly dominated possession for the series, especially in Games 4 & 5, but Holtby's made some incredible saves and in numerous instances, the big saves that he's made while a Pens D-man is pinched has led to odd-man rushes that the Caps have, um, capitalized on.

Not really lol. Game 5 Washington was the better team in the 1st and 3rd period. Game 4 Pittsburgh was better but Washington was easily the better team Game 1 through 3. This isn’t Holtby stealing the series. He’s been great but Washington deserves to win.

 

[turtle27]

Wonder how Pens fans will try to spin this if they decimate a Caps team in game 6 with
No Backstrom
No Carlson
No Burakovsky
No Wilson

If they do my spin would simply be "f*** the Caps."

 

[mad4comp]

“Ovechkin with a pass in front... Vrana - scores!!!” Love intermission highlights. Keith is giving Coach Trotz lots of Kudos for moving Jakub with Ovi and Kuzy. That was a very savvy move.

Yea happened about 2 games (almost too late). Every caps fan called for it after the Wilson suspension... Trotz on the other hand put every slow grinder he had on that line before coming to the realization that they all stink.