Nielsen was just a 3rd line pairing on the marlies the other day. I really don't think he's ready for this.

Marchenko will step in. Hopefully Z gets back.
- Fakepartofme

to be fair, we didnt think most of the team was ready for this...but Babcock is the factor here...and now that they are at home, he will take Trotz to the wood shed on coaching I think

Yes they did. "They'll be lucky to even won a game. It's nit even close" that's a quote from lots of commentator
- burn

Most credible ones had the caps in 5-6 games.
I can't think of any who said it would a sweep....not locally.
Either way, it's really no surprise.
The way these teams have played it could easily be 2-0 for either.
Welcome to the playoffs

https://www.washingtonpos...t/?utm_term=.125092e8751d

Calling retaliatory penalties instead of the initial penalty is idiotic.

Letting Nylander get hooked and tripped, and then calling the Leafs on a trip was BS.

Not calling the slash on Matthews at the end of OT that took him out of play and left his ear bleeding is also (frank)ed.

Refs tried real hard for Washington.
- Feeling Glucky?

Yet over in Tanner's blog some caps fans are claiming bias because Peel was from the Toronto area.

Yet over in Tanner's blog some caps fans are claiming bias because Peel was from the Toronto area.
- justmike

lol most of the NHL is from the Toronto area

Agreed.
You can't be picky b@stards calling things that were barely penalties, to allowing everything.
It's complete bs. Be consistent
- Fakepartofme

Capital fans were armed with metal cow bells. Refs were not going to make calls against Caps unless they had no choice. Like when Holtby pretended to be George Washington and Kadri pretended to be a cherry tree. Air Canada centre is probably the least intimidating building in the NHL. If what happened to Matthews, happened to a Ranger player at home...... Refs would be doing some dancing after the game.

Ready or not, he's rated the second best defensive prospect after Dermott who at 5'11'' is not a replacement for Polak against a team with size advantage - Nielsen is 6'3". Marchenko is an option, but he's been brutal in auditions to date. Why not give a real prospect a taste of playoff hockey?
- winsix

Boston did it and worked out beautifully

to be fair, we didnt think most of the team was ready for this...but Babcock is the factor here...and now that they are at home, he will take Trotz to the wood shed on coaching I think
- bazookajo

I figured babs would take this team to another level, which is why I said at the beginning of the season they be in a playoff run and possibly make the playoffs.
But the past two games he has got them playing even better then "another level", how long it will last? Who knows, but it's been a great ride.
Hopefully we get Z back for Monday. Polak is a big defensive loss.

Good series so far. Two OT games...doesnt get better

Boston did it and worked out beautifully
- Santo_44

Mcavoy (I think that's his name), is on another level, he was a very highly touted prospect

Most credible ones had the caps in 5-6 games.
I can't think of any who said it would a sweep....not locally.
Either way, it's really no surprise.
The way these teams have played it could easily be 2-0 for either.
Welcome to the playoffs
- Fakepartofme

No credible ones had them winning in Washington.

And not many had them playing even with eachother. This is a surprise 100%

Most credible ones had the caps in 5-6 games.
I can't think of any who said it would a sweep....not locally.
Either way, it's really no surprise.
The way these teams have played it could easily be 2-0 for either.
Welcome to the playoffs
- Fakepartofme

Actually Feschuk of the Toronto Star, called for Leafs to win the series in 6. All other writers had the Caps (no sweeps) consensus was Caps in 6

Ready or not, he's rated the second best defensive prospect after Dermott who at 5'11'' is not a replacement for Polak against a team with size advantage - Nielsen is 6'3". Marchenko is an option, but he's been brutal in auditions to date. Why not give a real prospect a taste of playoff hockey?
- winsix

Nielsen hasn't played an NHL game , not the time for him now.
Unless we lose another D.

Cavour (I think that's his name), is on another level, he was a very highly touted prospect
- Fakepartofme

Good?yes. Highly touted? No. He is a good middle first round pick from a few years ago. No one thought that kid could come in and play 25 mins a night well

Either way. Calling up Dermott to play 15 mins a night could work.

Actually Feschuk of the Toronto Star, called for Leafs to win the series in 6. All other writers had the Caps (no sweeps) consensus was Caps in 6
- winsix

There you go.
Like I said no sweeps, most expected the leafs to win a couple of games.
Fesfack with some positivity for once eh.
Trying to pull off a Dave naylor

Good?yes. Highly touted? No. He is a good middle first round pick from a few years ago. No one thought that kid could come in and play 25 mins a night well

Either way. Calling up Dermott to play 15 mins a night could work.
- Santo_44

they could drop Boyle back if they had too as well...but that would be too much missed up front I think...he has been everything they could have hoped for so far as a vet for this group in the playoffs

Good?yes. Highly touted? No. He is a good middle first round pick from a few years ago. No one thought that kid could come in and play 25 mins a night well

Either way. Calling up Dermott to play 15 mins a night could work.
- Santo_44

It could yes. But as last resort.
Mcavoy was very highly regarded.

they could drop Boyle back if they had too as well...but that would be too much missed up front I think...he has been everything they could have hoped for so far as a vet for this group in the playoffs
- bazookajo

No no...don't create another issue.
Boyle has played well on the 4th.
It will either be marchie or Z may be back, we'll see tomorrow

It could yes. But as last resort.
Mcavoy was very highly regarded.
- Fakepartofme

You say that now...but you didn't know who he was. I didn't either.

No one did.

No credible ones had them winning in Washington.

And not many had them playing even with eachother. This is a surprise 100%
- Santo_44

It's a surprise that the leafs have outplayed them for the most part.
Not a surprise they won one in Washington.
Most said they had to split in Washington

Most credible ones had the caps in 5-6 games.
I can't think of any who said it would a sweep....not locally.
Either way, it's really no surprise.
The way these teams have played it could easily be 2-0 for either.
Welcome to the playoffs
- Fakepartofme

Ever seen tsn? Ever heard of Craig button? The quote I posted is what he said about this series.

Huh I nailed it 4-3 my son in laws not happy about losing money!

It's a surprise that the leafs have outplayed them for the most part.
Not a surprise they won one in Washington.
Most said they had to split in Washington
- Fakepartofme

I don't know who you were listening to or reading but I didn't hear that from anyone. Especially after they lost game one

Nielsen hasn't played an NHL game , not the time for him now.
Unless we lose another D.
- Fakepartofme

If Zaitsev is a no-go for game three, our options for a 6th d-man are: (very limited!)

Marchenko, Dermott, Nielsen, move a forward to defense, Robidas

Ken Dryden won the Conn Smythe in 1971, the next year he won the Calder. First NHL game was a playoff game.

Huh I nailed it 4-3 my son in laws not happy about losing money!
- MR.Hunter

don't get too happy

he gets it back when you die

You say that now...but you didn't know who he was. I didn't either.

No one did.
- Santo_44

The kid was lights out at the world jrs, I think almost or a point a game player. The b's have been raving about him all year.
So ya I had heard of him.
No I didn't expect him to play a dominant 25 mins his first game.
Buts its no surprise he played well