Assuming we stay above the Atlantic's Conference leader and that those 3 teams continue to battle it out we're looking at these 4 teams fighting over the final 2 spots.
Pitt strikes me as a good team to play in the playoffs given the way the team is playing this year. You know we can win the games, although they'll be tougher to beat with Gonchar back, but at the same time you know the team isn't going to take them lightly and throw away some wins.
That said, I don't want the Pens to make the playoffs, at all. I don't care who we have to face to make that happen.
I hate playing Buffalo. Assuming we make the playoffs and given a choice between those 4 teams, I pick Carolina. We should be able to beat them and it would inject some life into the Southeast.
Florida, for the same reasons as BrooklynCapsFan, except I think it's Florida's turn to be top 2 in the division. But honestly, this is something you talk about once you have that "X" next to your team in the standings. Still half a season left.
Buffalo-Would love to see Ovechkin score a bucket of goals to the chorus of boos
Philly-This time we beat them so there is no more of this "The Caps are not our rivals" crap from Flyer fans
Pitt-No explanation needed.
Depends. If you want an opponent they have the highest chance of beating, it has to be a skilled team and one that doesn't play a disciplined game well enough. The Rangers would probably be the easiest for the Caps to get by, followed by the Penguins or Canadiens (if the Hurricanes get in they'd be the easiest to beat by far, but I'm working with the assumption that they don't). New Jersey would probably be the toughest for the Caps if they have Brodeur back and healthy - they play a disciplined, workaholic game and probably are the second best two way team in the league after Detroit. Philly would probably be tough to get by given the game they play, as well as Carter exploding and Gagne back, but their goaltending and defense can let them down. Boston will be at a very high level but their style doesn't cut into us like Philly's does. Florida is pretty aggressive this year and plays a good cycling/grinding game that's been good against us, and their goaltending is impressive as well as their defense. Don't see the Sabres making these playoffs if Bruins and Canadiens are on a roll.
Assuming the 8 EC playoff teams are Bruins, Capitals, Devils, Penguins, Canadiens, Rangers, Panthers, and Flyers, the best for the Caps to see in the first round would probably be, in that order.
That said, I'd love for the Caps to obliterate the Flyers in the first round and prove me wrong. But obliterating them in the conference final would be much sweeter.
Just a thought. The reason you go to the playoffs is to advance as far as you can with the idea of winning the stanley cup. a first round series described as "what a rumble that would be", is about the worst possible way to start a long playoff run. Its one step above losing in the first round. It sets you up to get KO'd in the second round.
What I want for the Caps is as close to a 4 game sweep/cake walk as they can get in the first round. Not a rumble.
I am fine with squaring off with the Pens. I would just prefer it as late in the playoffs as possible. Not the opener. Same with the Flyers.
What I want for the Caps is as close to a 4 game sweep/cake walk as they can get in the first round. Not a rumble.
5 games is probably ideal. A loss keeps them humble, and they won't have the super-long layoff you get after a sweep that can kill a team going into the next series. Plus, assuming the Caps have home ice, that clinches the series at home.
That's the path I want. I don't want to hear how we're "the worst Cup winner in 15 years"...the same crap people give the Canes.
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George McPhee....The Teflon GM. 15 years of failure and counting....
6 - Number of playoff series the Capitals have won since George McPhee took over as General Manager in 1997 (which makes him the third-longest-tenured GM in the League), three of which came in McPhee's first season on the job.
Frankly, I'd rather be the worst Cup winners than the best 1st/2nd/3rd round losers. If that means we get a cakewalk, so be it.
Oh I agree, I never said I wanted anything less that a Cup winner...I just don't want the grief. The SE takes a beating regularly and I would like to serve up a little crow to the elitest fans who bash the division constantly.
Just a thought. The reason you go to the playoffs is to advance as far as you can with the idea of winning the stanley cup. a first round series described as "what a rumble that would be", is about the worst possible way to start a long playoff run. Its one step above losing in the first round. It sets you up to get KO'd in the second round.
What I want for the Caps is as close to a 4 game sweep/cake walk as they can get in the first round. Not a rumble.
I am fine with squaring off with the Pens. I would just prefer it as late in the playoffs as possible. Not the opener. Same with the Flyers.
I want entrainment and I think Washington wuld beat them. Win Win.
