Sure, the Caps could beat us, anything can happen in the playoffs, but the biggest threat to the Penguins is Martin Brodeur and the Devils, IMO. I don't understand why everyone is acting like Pittsburgh is the favorite when they still have yet to solve Brodeur, and they're going to have to go through him if they want to win.
And I say this as a Pens fan.
I still think the Devils are winning it all, though.
Absolutely, I fully agree. All bets are off in the playoffs. A NJ-Pitts series would be brutal. I think Saturday's game will be a good "measuring stick" (for lack of a better term, even though I'm really begining to hate that one). We'll have a fully healthy team to chip away at NJ and focus more on getting quality shots on net.
I feel bad for the teams that get that 4/5 match-up in the East. The second and third best teams in the conference meeting in the first round hardly seems fair.
I don't understand why everyone is acting like Pittsburgh is the favorite when they still have yet to solve Brodeur, and they're going to have to go through him if they want to win.
Pittsburgh doesn't necessarily have to solve or go through Brodeur. Although the Devils may match up well against Pittsburgh, there's no guarantee the Devils make it out of the first/second round(s) to face Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is peaking too early and will under estimate the caps. Backstrom skated in full pads wed afternoon.
And Crosby skated in full pads for 3 months. Caps better not rush him back, same as Pittsburgh you lose a year big deal but don't screw around with concussions and the possibility of losing someone for years
And? Are you saying that any of these scenarios is unlikely? Washington has 3 games in-hand over both Winnipeg and Buffalo. Nothing is solidified at this point.
Caps have one game in hand on Buff and none on Peg.
First off good to see Backstrom skating again. Hopefully he'll be back soon. As to this matchup it probably would lack the sizzle of their previous playoff matches but it's still Crosby vs. Ovechkin which sells itself on those 2 names alone. Pittsburgh would still win in 5 though.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
People are getting ahead of themselves. Philly's right behind Pittsburgh and surging. Its just as likely Pittsburgh could finish 3rd in their division, and the Caps could still win their division and jump to the 3rd seed. Going to be a exciting finish in the East.
Exactly what I was thinking. There ought to be a trophy for just winning the division this year.
I really wouldn't be too worried as a Pens fan. WSH isn't scarey anymore.
Ever since 1993, I have a bit of fear every playoff series. Though this isn't the Washington team that terrorized the league for a couple of years, I would expect that Ovie would have more incentive to play incredibly against the Pens than any other team in the East.
What better way to try to reclaim his reputation/swagger than a superhuman effort against his nemesis at a time when that team has two players who are regarded as better than him? I don't think a supercharged Ovie would be enough for a Washington to move on, but I also don't think it's impossible for another player to get hot at the same time.
That said, if this matchup comes to pass and Ovie — who has been a beast in previous playoffs — plays only average, it would cement his reputation as a faded star.
Though I'm supremely confident in the Pens players and coaches, I could find reasons to worry about any of the likely eight seeds, Buffalo, Ottawa, Washington. The best team doesn't always win.
First off good to see Backstrom skating again. Hopefully he'll be back soon. As to this matchup it probably would lack the sizzle of their previous playoff matches but it's still Crosby vs. Ovechkin which sells itself on those 2 names alone. Pittsburgh would still win in 5 though.
Win in 5?
While I do think Pittsburgh is the superior team, if anything has been shown in the track record head to head over the last 3-4 seasons, the Caps can more than hold their own in big matchups and a series.
The Pens might win, and probably should sans Backstrom, but it's not a quick close out by any means. I don't think any logical/rational Pens fan who has actually watched the Caps play the Pens the last few years would think it's an easy series.
I would really much like for it to happen.. Always close and fun games, I think it could go to 7 games this year again if they face each other even if Pens are the favorites
Meh. Pens can easily out play and out-chance the Caps.. but the last few years it hasn't mattered. They usually win anyways.. and Ovechkin only seems to play great against Pittsburgh now.
Playoffs are a different animal though.
its the only way to guarantee they would meet in the playoffs
Statements like these are why pittsburgh fans come off as jerks. I could easily say Crosby is a puss and after one hit from Keith Aucoin he will miss another half a season.
It's not just Pens fans.
How about the whole conspiracy aspect that always makes me shake my head?
Quote:
Originally Posted by FakeKidPoker
Jeez just thinking about it now.
With the insane hype the Penguins have right now..could you just imagine Ovechkin and the Capitals come out and win the series in 5 or something?
I think James Duthie would cry on air.
A personal favorite from last night's game...
Quote:
Originally Posted by NCRanger
I think any rational person knew this one was a loss as soon as it was announced that Crosbaby was returning and the game would be on NBC Sports Newtork with the Pittsburgh broadcast.
The Ranger play aside, the Bettmans got away with murder on ice all night long.
The fourth Pittsburgh Bettman goal was a direct result of a no-call on Gaborik, who probably would have had a breakaway.
Glad the NHL got what it wanted, a gift-wrapped 5-2 Bettmans win at Madison Square Garden in Crybaby's return, described by the two biggest homers in all of sports.
i dont think most caps fans are remotely confident about any playoff matchup this season, but lets be honest. caps v pens is a blood fued. the penguins dont want to deal with that in the first round.
Although I think the whole NHL conspiracy for the Penguins is a ludicrous idea and a sad excuse for a loss, it doesn't make much sense to me to quote posts from the team boards. What good will that do except incite more flaming on the main board?
My favorite part of that quote is how it's prefaced with the equivalent of, "if you disagree with the following statement, YOU are the irrational one".
I'd rather see the Penguins and Flyers destroy each other in a 7 game series I think that would be way more entertaining as Philly would put up way more of a fight than the Caps.
If that series couldn't get Ovie going I don't know what else can.
