Series Discussion: Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins

[Alexander the Gr8]

In terms of match ups, would it be safe to assume that the Backstrom line goes up against Crosby?

That's how it usually goes, and you have 3 solid guys defensively with Stephenson, Backstrom and Oshie on that line. Backstrom has done a great job of shutting down Crosby's line in 2016, not so great in 2017. We'll see how this goes. I can't imagine Kuznetsov or Eller matching up against Sid, he'd eat them alive.

 

[troyerlaw]

There’s no particular reason to feel hopeful this time around. But i’ll go ahead and feel hopeful anyway.

Pens have so thoroughly owned us, all through the years. It won’t be end-times if it happens again.

And who knows? Maybe bottom rail’s finally on top this time.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

Caps actually manufactured some goals in the CBus series by crashing the net, getting point shots through and scoring on rebounds as well as effectively screening the goaltender. They scored some gritty as well as greasy goals.

They seemed a lot less reliant on individual efforts although they had their share of those, as well.

There is cause for optimism.

 

[philip]

We'll do the Pens this time, mark my words. We've got this mob. We're more defensively responsible this year, have a bit more speed and Holtby is in better form. We've got them by the jaffers

 

[Brian23]

Part of me would much rather Kuzya's line be against Crosby then 19's. I think the 19 line would be better served vs. Malkin.

On the other foot, maybe 8 - 92 - 43 can agitate Shrek and get him off his game.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

Part of me would much rather Kuzya's line be against Crosby then 19's. I think the 19 line would be better served vs. Malkin.

On the other foot, maybe 8 - 92 - 43 can agitate Shrek and get him off his game.

Maybe Malkinstein’s knee/leg will be wonky for the series after this attempted slewfoot disaster. A few big hits from Ovie should make him a shrinking violet.

 

[Revelation]

Caps manhandled Pens last year, came down to Hornqvist or Rust or whoever it was edging out a goal in game 7 and the Caps shutting themselves down.

They have as good a chance against the Pens as any team in the league minus Vegas, who are Nu-Pens.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

71% believe in the Caps, so far.

I voted for them to win in 6 games.

I’ll stand behind them.

I hope the home fans don’t sit on their hands and whimper. Get behind your team and fuel them. The team feeds off of that. If they are fed fear and nervousness, what will the result be?

Let’s go Caps!!!

 

[peterthegreat12]

It will be interesting to see if Burakovsky is able to draw back into the line-up for this series.

Nice to have some young players excelling right now.

 

[Calicaps]

Knock it off/move on people. All are welcome even if you don’t like their opinions.

 

[peterthegreat12]

Too funny not to bring up again:

 

[Ridley Simon]

I know the score here.

It’s fun to watch how the impact of the series, and it’s results .....changes things around this board.

Cheers.

 

[Fallschirmyager]

Yes, Holtby (especially) and Stephenson are big pluses right now. Also DSP has that Ward playoff vibe going. And the defense is showing some good signs... man, it would've been cool to see one of Orlov, Schmidt, Djoos on the ice at all times...

Pretty amazing how Stephenson has fit in with Backstrom so far, after so many other wingers (including fellow Swedes!) have not really meshed, and Stephenson himself couldn't really stand out in limited bottom-6 time.
Definitely opens up more options to field a deep bottom-6, too. But tbh, one can see Trotz riding Eller, Beagle and DSP now -- and it's hard to see how Bura or Vrana might fit there. Again, what's the identity?
I don't think it will be enough for Caps' bottom-6 to be solid -- they need to be able to put the Pens on their heels somehow.

These Caps don't quite look like championship material, but they seem to be relatively close to dialing in their "puncher's chance" mode.

No they do not. That said, I'm not worried about anything other than the Pens. IF everyone continues to show up and give the effort we can win this series but EVERYONE has to show up.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Third times a charm. Let's f***ing go!

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

Congrats on taking care of the jackets, it’s be nice to see Backstrom and Kuz get a cup.

 

[ovikovy817]

MAF, their hero last year, isn't there this time.

It will end in 7. So in our comments/posts until that game we need to stay calm even if we are down by 3 or up by 3 before G4.

 

[Melkor]

They dont have Bonino but they have Brassard who is, to say very politely, a much better player and also they have Sheahan who was great in the last game against Philly taking 2C spot for them. So, if anything, they upgraded down the middle and have an advantage on us there (With all due respect, Eller is no Brassard). Defense of both teams is a suspect, they gonna take advantage of each other in that regard a lot. Soooo...it all comes down to who's the better goalie. The biggest test in Holts' career. He must be up to the task right away.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

It's going to happen this year. Caps in 6.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Caps were whistled for at least three post whistle scrum penalties leading to PKs in the CBJ series: Willy, Eller, Kuzy (am I missing any). Gotta shore that up against the Pens.

 

[g00n]

Caps were whistled for at least three post whistle scrum penalties leading to PKs in the CBJ series: Willy, Eller, Kuzy (am I missing any). Gotta shore that up against the Pens.

Please, no. I just noted the opposite in the thread on the mains. Stay nasty, hostile, and aggressive. Just keep the PK humming. I believe playing for each other and playing with that edge is a big reason they won 4 in a row. Putting a leash on guys like Wilson and Orpik will bite them in the ass just like it did in previous years. Let them do what they do since it's typically a net positive.

 

[RandyHolt]

What is all our all time series record, 1-13 I think? How can that be. This ends now. The insanity cannot continue. Someone has to put their foot down. And that foot is Kuz Magic, Ovi PPG, OT Nick, Willy Truckin'.... um need help here... but we can do this. Dammit. No more f***ing around.

Who am I kidding. The series should come down to Murray vs Holtby, garbage goals, and officiating.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Please, no. I just noted the opposite in the thread on the mains. Stay nasty, hostile, and aggressive. Just keep the PK humming. I believe playing for each other and playing with that edge is a big reason they won 4 in a row. Putting a leash on guys like Wilson and Orpik will bite them in the ass just like it did in previous years. Let them do what they do since it's typically a net positive.

I am not saying don't play aggressive, nasty or hostile. I am saying don't cross-check someone in the lower back at the tail end of a scrum, aggressive flying headlocks. Know when enough is enough.

I do think someone may have been in the ear of the refs because it was called on the Caps a lot, and CBJ players were losing their skates rather easily on the headlocks. There was a fourth on Stephenson, too.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

Part of me would much rather Kuzya's line be against Crosby then 19's. I think the 19 line would be better served vs. Malkin.

On the other foot, maybe 8 - 92 - 43 can agitate Shrek and get him off his game.

Kuzy agitates Malkin, I'm willing to bet he can draw some penalties from him.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

Its this type of **** that really chaps my *****.

I can still remember being shocked the Caps beat Mario and the Pens in that one series the Caps won all those years ago. Would be nice to be shocked again. Anyway, **** ****sburgh.

Still going with the Young Guns 2.0 of Kuzy, Willy, Orly, etc... as a key to this series. Will throw in the Eller line as well. Caps need them to contribute in a significant way. Ultimately though Holtby needs to stand on his head and spin like a top for the Caps to have a chance.

Having said all that, I've seen this movie before. I chose Pens in 6.

 

[strungout]