Ryan Wilson: Trends favor Washington heading into Round 2 Trends favor Washington heading into Round 2

Remember the alamo!

(btw first)

Thread titles lately wreak of being able to say I told you so

You just have to hope they raise their overall game. They're certainly capable of it.

Thread titles lately wreak of being able to say I told you so
- YuenglingJagr

I swear fans/writers from both sides are trying to reverse jinx their way through this round. So much out there from Pens fans/beat writers saying the Caps are the favorites and vice versa. It's rather funny.

I swear fans/writers from both sides are trying to reverse jinx their way through this round. So much out there from Pens fans/beat writers saying the Caps are the favorites and vice versa. It's rather funny.
- PensFan1103

That's because the Caps are favorites.

As much as I would like the Pens to lose... they have beaten the Caps, what, 8 out of 9 times they've played in the playoffs, including twice since Crosby and Ovechkin have been in the league? The first challenge for the Caps is to get the Pens out of their heads... if they do that, then all of the trends that Ryan has pointed out become relevant.

Meh. Drop the puck already.

As much as I would like the Pens to lose... they have beaten the Caps, what, 8 out of 9 times they've played in the playoffs, including twice since Crosby and Ovechkin have been in the league? The first challenge for the Caps is to get the Pens out of their heads... if they do that, then all of the trends that Ryan has pointed out become relevant.
- copelal

Interesting stat too is that the Pens have lost 8 of 9 game 1's in those series. So not sure if I want them to win or lose tonight....

I swear fans/writers from both sides are trying to reverse jinx their way through this round. So much out there from Pens fans/beat writers saying the Caps are the favorites and vice versa. It's rather funny.
- PensFan1103

Haha I agree it is

As long as Washington plays Shattenkirk a ton, Pittsburgh has a chance.

PDO's a helluva drug

As long as Washington plays Shattenkirk a ton, Pittsburgh has a chance.
- jmatchett383

nah.

Pens in 7

I think you guys get slightly outplayed 5v5 over the course of a long series, but make the most of your chances in clutch situations and get big time play from your star forwards to get the job done.

Should be a hell of a series, I'm hoping you guys get all your forwards back in the lineup at some point.

Best of luck to both teams. 2 best teams in the league IMO, its a shame you have to meet so early...

I'll go with the obvious statement... split these first 2, and take the series in 6 or 7... no short series prediction.

Again Botteril is the associate GM not the assistant GM. The words are very similar but what they mean is quite different.

As long as Washington plays Shattenkirk a ton, Pittsburgh has a chance.
- jmatchett383

Agree 5-1 on the negative side for goals while he's on the ice last series.

I'll go with the obvious statement... split these first 2, and take the series in 6 or 7... no short series prediction.
- Guile

Definitely going to be a roller coaster but if the Pens win the first game they will be winning the psychological battle.

Agree 5-1 on the negative side for goals while he's on the ice last series.
- Dcoms

Not a big fan of Shatty. Hopefully we won't pay him 7x7

2 week long PDO bender anyone?

Such the underdog Ryan.

Lets Go Pens!!!

Trends favors graphs as part of this blog

Caps to get the calls 1st game with 4/5 PP's to Pens 1. There will be a murder that goes unnoticed on the ice tonite!

Sprong's been a bad boy

Sprong's team trails Blainville-Boisbriand, 3-1, in the best-of-seven series. https://t.co/CInRpcPpQQ

— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) April 27, 2017