Playoff Time! Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Caps- Rangers.

[DuffMan]

Well were finally here the "pre" season is over and it's on to the main event! Here's the schedule for this series. First game is Wednesday at 7:30.
Game 1: Weds., April 13 at Washington, 7:30 p.m., CSN, Versus
Game 2: Fri., April 15 at Washington, 7:30 p.m., CSN
Game 3: Sun., April 17 at New York, 3:00 p.m., NBC
Game 4: Weds., April 20 at New York, 7:00 p.m., CSN
*Game 5: Sat., April 23 at Washington, 3:00 p.m., NBC
*Game 6: Mon., April 25 at New York, TBD
*Game 7: Weds., April 27 at Washington, TBD

No Wideman (he's our only major injury) for the first round, but Green is supposed to be back so that's a big boost. Neuvirth is getting the nod to start the playoffs lets hope he's as successful here as he has been in the AHL Playoffs.

Obviously Lundquist can steal a few games, but the Caps are on a roll and have bought into what they need to do to win in the playoffs and I don't see them having another 1st round collapse. Caps in 5.

[Araqnid]

Caps in 5. I see them winning the first 3, letting off the gas for a game, and then winning the series back in DC on the 23rd.

[DuffMan]

Here's the line combination's for Game 1.
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Sturm-Arnott-Semin
Laich-Johansson-Chimera
Hendricks-Gordon-Bradley

Chimera's been playing better lately and probably is playing in place of Fehr. Although I'm sure we'll see F16 at some point.

D pairings haven't been announced yet, but if I had to guess I would say...
Carlson-Alzner
Schultz-Green
Hannan-Erskine.

[MuhladaOs]

I think the Caps will win it in 6. I just hope Neuvirth comes out and plays strong and gives no reason to put in Varlamov in game 2. I really just want to ride one goalie all the way to the Stanley Cup.

[DuffMan]

Here's the line combination's for Game 1.
D pairings haven't been announced yet, but if I had to guess I would say...
Carlson-Alzner
Schultz-Green
Hannan-Erskine.

Well I was slightly off in the D pairings. Green will pair up with Erskine for the #3 D line and Hannan will play with Schultz

[JDubs]

Rock the Red!



C! A! P! S! CAPS! CAPS!! CAPS!!!

[JDubs]

So is this thread going to serve as the game thread? I may need some help keeping up as I flip between the O's (cause I NEED some baseball tonight) and the Caps game (cause I NEED revenge on the Rangers from last year).

[DuffMan]

Caps are plaing great! Lundquist has been solid, but if it weren't for the post we would already be winning. Get one here in the third and win game 1.

[The Rick]

Good win for the Caps tonight. Neuvirth was as good as I've seen him. We dominated this game for the most part, and fortunately were able to win it in OT. A tip of the cap to Semin who scored his first playoff goal this evening.

[DuffMan]

[DuffMan]

Great job by the team last night, they stuck to their system and didn't panic when they went down 1-0. Nice to see Ovie getting a "dirty" goal down low by the crease
of course Sasha's one timer was filthy. 2 points from Semin already equals his point total from last years series, lets hope his improved play continues. Chimera missed several chances in this game, I would like to see Fehr put in on that 3rd line in his place for game 2. I also thought Green played pretty well for the most part, although him and Erskine were on the ice for the goal against and should take some blame for that(I would still prefer Green to be paired with Schultz and put Erskine with Hannan), but for not playing for 20+ games and to comeback in game 1 logging 25+ minutes he held his own. Also a pretty good job by Boudreau of keeping the minutes balanced and the guys as fresh as possible. Great job in game 1 now lets win game 2 and really put em in a hole!

[MuhladaOs]

Ovechkin's hits on Brandon Dubinsky & Marc Staal were straight filthy nasty! You know they aren't looking forward to 3 more games of that. Actually as a whole, the team was checking really well and blocking shots better than ever. Neuvirth must of enjoyed that!

[DuffMan]

It's funny they were talking about all the shots the Rangers were blocking but the Caps had blocked more shots than them! Didn't mention it before but Neuvirth was definitely solid in net. Couldn't do anything about the goal given up and stopped everything else. Great game for his NHL playoff debut.

[Araqnid]

I also thought Green played pretty well for the most part, although him and Erskine were on the ice for the goal against and should take some blame for that(I would still prefer Green to be paired with Schultz and put Erskine with Hannan)

I completely agree that Erskine and Hannan should be paired together right now. You need to pair Green with someone that's solid defensively, and of the remaining Ds, thats either Schultz or Hannan. Ultimately, when Wideman comes back, I'd return Green and Hannan together and do this:

Carlson - Alzner
Green - Hannan
Wideman - Schultz

[allstar1579]

I think my point was made last night as the goalies I said I wanted to avoid in the first round both put up bagels. Miller and Price are both capable of completely taking over a series. Lundquist is as well, it was a HARD fought win the other night, and I don't expect tonight to be any easier. But at least I'll be there to cheer them on.

The only good thing with goalies like that is that they can be worn down. Catching them in the 2nd/3rd round is much better than catching them now when they have something to prove.