The NHL has to schedule time for possible game sevens. The Players just did a World Cup, Training Camp, the Regular Season and up to six games of Playoff Hockey. So they don't care.
But what are we supposed to do? Watch the NBA?
I like that the Raptors are doing well, but I have a hard time watching basketball on TV. It's super boring, I'd rather just watch Semi-Pro.
Baseball was fun last night - if you didn't see it, which you must have, this was something that happened:
That is the best thing I've ever seen anyone do. Ever. And I once saw this:
Ahh the times we have! That is why the first round is the best - three or four games every night for two weeks. After that though, even though the games get more important, the excitement seems to die down.
And of course it would because by that point only eight of 30 teams have fans who care anymore. But it's more than that because even if your team misses the Playoffs, the first round is exciting and fun. To me, the first round is the best part of the hockey season (though it must be said, no team I cheer for ever makes it farther).
That said, the second round is obviously better if your still playing - or your team is anyway. The Capitals Penguins series should be fun to watch, even if it is happening prematurely.
Still, you'd think the NHL would be able to move the games forward if there are no game-sevens. The season doesn't end until late July, so it might be smart to speed things up a bit.
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In relevant news, Karl Alzner is said to be skating with the team. As a fan favorite, and the closest thing the Capitals have to a team mascot, Alzner is a guy I'd like to see in the lineup.
But as a Nate Schmidt fan, as well as a fan of winning, I'd rather see the Capitals get cold-hearted here. Schmidt's speed was key in overcoming the Leafs speed and it will be against the Penguins as well.
As for the idea of putting out seven defenseman - why? There is a reason almost no one does that - it creates unbalance and with triple overtime always a possibility, you don't want to start double shifting players in the first period.
In the end, it's a good problem to have. The Capitals health is their best asset heading into this series - the Penguins are beat up, and only Alzner is injured for Washington.
As you are no doubt aware, in a system approaching full parity, injuries are perhaps the biggest factor in deciding a winner. Since this series is thought to be extremely close, that is likely going to be the difference. I mean, the Penguins have no Letang, which means that Washington might have four D better than anyone the Penguins can ice.
*Correction: This is the greatest clip in sports history:
Thanks for reading.
P.S
It turns out that the Capitals do have a mascot, and his name isn't Karl Alzner. It's Slapshot and he is an eagle and his name is stupid and only Carlton the Maple Leafs inexplicable polar bear mascot is worse.
Then again, I guess it is hard to make a related mascot for "Capitals."
But, all mascots suck. Every single one of them. But, as the first guy who commented pointed out, mascots are just for kids. Good point. But they still are annoying.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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