Tampa Bay now up 3-1 in their series as well.

Tampa Bay now up 3-1 in their series as well.
- acdc1206

If both teams finish their current series, that will be a fantastic ECF.

If both teams finish their current series, that will be a fantastic ECF.
- madmike71

If we are fortunate to close it out tomorrow, I certainly want that other one to go the full monty ... all seven.

If we are fortunate to close it out tomorrow, I certainly want that other one to go the full monty ... all seven.
- Oneonta Penguin

Hopefully not. Don't stamkos and Stralman have a chance to return soon? The quicker they start the next round, the less time those guys have to get healthy

Hopefully not. Don't stamkos and Stralman have a chance to return soon? The quicker they start the next round, the less time those guys have to get healthy
- drummer829

Pretty sure Stralman will be playing very soon, maybe even in the next couple of games.

I really doubt Stamkos is in until the SCF, then it's even questionable. Doesn't he have to go through a poopload of tests when he is actually training before they will even let him contact??

Tampa Bay has the Jolly Green Giant defense.

Game day! Let's go boys

Tampa Bay has the Jolly Green Giant defense.
- powerhouse

I was thinking about that last night. They have a very tall and defensive group. We would really need to make good quick decisions against them

I was thinking about that last night. They have a very tall and defensive group. We would really need to make good quick decisions against them
- dbell646

Well fist off all yall need to stop looking past the caps......but since yall are doing it....

I want the isles....since they purposely lost their last 2 games to avoid us. How sweet would that be?

Well fist off all yall need to stop looking past the caps......but since yall are doing it....

I want the isles....since they purposely lost their last 2 games to avoid us. How sweet would that be?
- pensfan024

I think tampa are the ones capable to defeat us so I hope to god that isles win that series so we won't play them.

This article could have just as easily read what a difference having guys go to the front of the net make. Rutherford and Sullivan have put together a team of forwards who consistently go to the net (ex. Crosby on the OT winner). Even Hagelin and Malkin dart in and out.

The defense is also taking care of business in front of their own net. The bigger stronger Caps are not getting rebounds, scrambles or tips at the rate the Pens are.

The Penguins are the grittier team in this series and it is showing on the scoreboard. The Capitals are winning the big hit battle, but losing the puck battles. The last two game winning goals were direct results of that, Malkin out muscled Ovechkin and Crosby outworked Niskanin. I look for this to continue.

Picking a longshot today #9 Destin. I will have #13 Nyquist in my Pick 3.

Well fist off all yall need to stop looking past the caps......but since yall are doing it....

I want the isles....since they purposely lost their last 2 games to avoid us. How sweet would that be?
- pensfan024

I'm not looking past the caps. Isles didn't throw games to just avoid us they deemed it easier to beat Florida and Tampa then Pittsburgh Washington and I can't disagree. Even though they'll likely lose to Tampa it was the better rout. Tampa is going to be a handful for any team in a lot of ways they're similar to us. Would be an exciting series

This article could have just as easily read what a difference having guys go to the front of the net make. Rutherford and Sullivan have put together a team of forwards who consistently go to the net (ex. Crosby on the OT winner). Even Hagelin and Malkin dart in and out.

The defense is also taking care of business in front of their own net. The bigger stronger Caps are not getting rebounds, scrambles or tips at the rate the Pens are.

The Penguins are the grittier team in this series and it is showing on the scoreboard. The Capitals are winning the big hit battle, but losing the puck battles. The last two game winning goals were direct results of that, Malkin out muscled Ovechkin and Crosby outworked Niskanin. I look for this to continue.
- Thunderbolt

All this. The Penguins are winning battles and then finishing plays. No reason why that can't continue tonight, regardless of how desperate the Capitals are. And I honestly think playing at home is a negative for the Capitals. More pressure, and it puts the matchup onus on them, and that's going to result in more shuffling.

Interesting to see who Trotz wants the Ovechkin line matched up against.

I say he is more like Bill Guerin in the respect the team has for him. I think that is what Shero hoped Adams could bring... but if you just (frank)ing suck, you don't get loads of respect.
- Guile

Yes!

And the big adjustment from the Capitals so far has been trying to play below the endline on offense more. With Letang back, that's not going to be as easy, and it sets them up for rushes going the other way with forwards deep.

Going to the Verizon Center tonight proudly wearing the Black and Gold. I also got the Budweiser Brew House pass ... free beer/food. think I might be in trouble by the night's end

Caps are going to come out hard and seeing red. Hopefully our D is prepared to take the hit to make the play. Lovejoy, Cole, Daley, Dumo and Tanger have all been doing a great job in that department. Take advantage of their aggressiveness early for some odd man breaks and puck the puck in the net before the game settles into a normal pace.

All this. The Penguins are winning battles and then finishing plays. No reason why that can't continue tonight, regardless of how desperate the Capitals are. And I honestly think playing at home is a negative for the Capitals. More pressure, and it puts the matchup onus on them, and that's going to result in more shuffling.

Interesting to see who Trotz wants the Ovechkin line matched up against.
- hardnosed

I read an article, where Trotz said he was going to look to get Ovie line away from the Crosby line. He said obviously there will be times when they match up, but for the most part, he will try move the Ovie line away from Sids.

I don't think the skaters on either team have separated themselves as the better team. The difference is murray vs holtby
- sditulli[\b]

While I agree with that to a degree I think the play of the Pens defense in front of Murray isn't getting nearly enough credit or respect for the role they've playing in Murray's outstanding numbers. A big part of the reason why the Caps are struggling to score (especially off the cycle) is due to them getting very few 2nd chance opportunities despite Murray struggling with his rebound control in all but game 3, basically Murray is making the 1st save and the D is doing the rest, the tremendous effect that has on Murray being able to maintain a .935+ sv% shouldn't be ingored. Their ability to backcheck and apply pressure to the shooter has also greatly affected the Caps ability to get quality shot, especially in the high danger areas. Murray has played well and deserves a lot of the praises he's receiving, I just think it's kind of a shame that he's getting ALL of the credit when his numbers have been more a team effort than a solo effort.

While I agree with that to a degree I think the play of the Pens defense in front of Murray isn't getting nearly enough credit or respect for the role they've playing in Murray's outstanding numbers. A big part of the reason why the Caps are struggling to score (especially off the cycle) is due to them getting very few 2nd chance opportunities despite Murray struggling with his rebound control in all but game 3, basically Murray is making the 1st save and the D is doing the rest, the tremendous effect that has on Murray being able to maintain a .935+ sv% shouldn't be ingored. Their ability to backcheck and apply pressure to the shooter has also greatly affected the Caps ability to get quality shot, especially in the high danger areas. Murray has played well and deserves a lot of the praises he's receiving, I just think it's kind of a shame that he's getting ALL of the credit when his numbers have been more a team effort than a solo effort.
- jaydogg1974

More bold please and put it all in CAPS.

More bold please and put it all in CAPS.
- Oneonta Penguin

CAPS? YOU MEAN PENS!!!!

More bold please and put it all in CAPS.
- Oneonta Penguin

I may be wrong that Murray is the 2nd coming of Henrik Lundqvist....but jaydogg basically hasn't had one post supporting Murray. I think 2 weeks ago he considered Murray "a prospect on a hot streak"

I read an article, where Trotz said he was going to look to get Ovie line away from the Crosby line. He said obviously there will be times when they match up, but for the most part, he will try move the Ovie line away from Sids.
- Thorny

That's a huge desperation move if I've ever seen one.... basically admitting there other 9 forwards can't beat ours so get ovie away so he can score.

I'd assume the matchup would be ovie vs Malkin's line... wonder if that's what they show, will Sully put Rust up in Fehrs spot to counter with some speed.

Either way Sids line benefits from softer minutes so it could still be a wash.

I may be wrong that Murray is the 2nd coming of Henrik Lundqvist....but jaydogg basically hasn't had one post supporting Murray. I think 2 weeks ago he considered Murray "a prospect on a hot streak"
- sditulli

He very well could be the second coming of Henrik, as in good Henrik ... hopefully not the sieve we played this year. However, we still have a small sample size. He is impressing the heck out of everyone. I'm not particularly in agreement with jaydogg, but lets pump the brakes a bit. Sort of like you and Pouliot. Murray to me is further along than Pouliot as an NHLer and its not even close.

He very well could be the second coming of Henrik, as in good Henrik ... hopefully not the sieve we played this year. However, we still have a small sample size. He is impressing the heck out of everyone. I'm not particularly in agreement with jaydogg, but lets pump the brakes a bit. Sort of like you and Pouliot. Murray to me is further along than Pouliot as an NHLer and its not even close.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't think my view on Pouliot is far from consensus. My view is he's an average 5/6 regular season NHL dman right now. He's not a playoff legit contender 5/6 D. I think he has potential.

I just think those guys cost more to resign than everyone else.