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

[Hivemind]

If there is one thing the Caps have improved in its speed. Pens made Caps look slow last year.

In before Trotz benches Vrana, demotes Stephenson to the fourth line, and puts DSP on the Ovechkin line.

 

[gordie]

No Marcus Johannson, Kevin Shattenkirk or Justin Willams and Matt Murray will be the starting goalie and not Marc Andre Fleury that Holtby will have to play better than. I expect Derrick Brassard to have a big series against whatever Trotz matches up against his line.

 

[Dying Alive]

The law of averages says that eventually the Caps are going to beat the Pens in the playoffs. Hopefully it's not this year, but who knows? If Geno & Hagelin are out or really banged up it'll be tough for the Pens to pull it out.

I am saying Pens in 6 but it could go either way IMO. What I do know is that playing the same teams in the playoffs year after year is getting a little boring.

well fwiw, this is probably the first time the pens are favorites, so maybe that helps caps

Why are the Pens the favorites, the Caps are the higher seeded team and have home ice?

 

[BallardEra]

Will Burakovsky make an appearance in this series?

 

[Fantomas]

Caps in 6. You gotta believe.

 

[yay]

Not falling for this again. Pens in 5.

 

[nothingbeatshockey]

Should be another great series!

Since Malkin missed the last game, is he expected to be ready for Game 1? I recall the announcers mentioning yesterday he had a leg injury but they didn't say the extent.

Kind of hard to feel bad for someone who hurts himself slewfooting someone else.

 

[TheFountainhead]

Expect the Pens to win in 6 or 7, hoping for a different result obviously. LGC

 

[Fatty McLardy]

this is going to 7 fellas...and its gun be EPIC!!!

 

[Hivemind]

Anyone not calling this a 7 game series is fooling themselves. Not because the teams are super evenly matched. But because the Capitals always find a way to make it the most heartbreaking loss possible.

 

[pokey10]

Will Burakovsky make an appearance in this series?

I thought he was out for a couple months?

 

[Novak Djokovic]

This is the boldest prediction I've made in a while, but Caps in 5. I really think they get it done this year, and do it well. I also predict a letdown in the ECF after that.

 

[illpucks]

The law of averages says that eventually the Caps are going to beat the Pens in the playoffs. Hopefully it's not this year, but who knows? If Geno & Hagelin are out or really banged up it'll be tough for the Pens to pull it out.

I am saying Pens in 6 but it could go either way IMO. What I do know is that playing the same teams in the playoffs year after year is getting a little boring.



Why are the Pens the favorites, the Caps are the higher seeded team and have home ice?

Their all time record vs Penguins in playoffs is abysmal

 

[Alexei Yashvalev]

Head says Penguins in 6. Heart says Capitals in 7.

 

[hockeykicker]

game 1 will be saturday due to leafs/bruins still going and wizards home on friday, unless they wanna do thursday

 

[BrookswasHere44]

Bos

I'm a Penguin fan but even from the winning side I'm honestly just so ****ing sick of this match up.

I think this is Washington's year, though (to then get stomped by Tampa or Boston, as would Pittsburgh).

Boston stomping Pittsburgh? Hehe

 

[nothingbeatshockey]

If the Caps can get goals from role players like Stephenson, Eller and Smith-Pelly, they can compete. If not, it will be another second round exit.

 

[North Cole]

Every year I say the Caps will finally do it and it doesn’t happen. So I’m saying Pens in 6

Yes! This is finally the year they do it. Thank this man. *clap* *clap*

 

[No Fun Shogun]

You'd have to pay me to put money on the Caps versus the Pens.

Go Caps, but Pens in six tops.

 

[Super Hans]

Somewhere Pierre Maguire is counting down to the 4 hour mark before he has to call his medical provider.

 

[Nadal On Clay]

Just like I said to @Eazy for Kuzy, this is the Caps year.

Capitals in 7

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

I'm a Penguin fan but even from the winning side I'm honestly just so ****ing sick of this match up.

I think this is Washington's year, though (to then get stomped by Tampa or Boston, as would Pittsburgh).

Yeah, this is exactly how I see it. Everybody is talking about how this is a "different Washington Capitals team", and they're right; they're a worse Washington Capitals team. I think that they can beat Pittsburgh, because I think Pittsburgh is also a weaker team, and I don't think that lightning will strike thrice.

However, I do fully expect Washington to get destroyed by the winner of the Atlantic Division if they win this series.

 

[Shagged Yer Nan]

And this is why the nhl loves this playoff format. Look how excited everyone is for this.

This series is gonna be bonkers. Could go either way, but I believe caps will pull it off in 6.

 

[Rygu]

God damn it I can't take another series loss to the Pens surely the odds finally have to fall in our favor. Right guys... guys?

If the Canucks were finally able to beat Chicago, then Washington definitely has a chance against the Penguins. Holtby just needs to be really really good.

 

[ujju2]

Go Caps. Getting a bit boring playing the same team, but hoping the third time is the charm.