A little consolation?

[Weegie]

The Caps are really pushing the Bolts around like a shopping cart at the grocery store, Pens gave them much more fight than they are so far. Maybe it is matchups, maybe the Caps are inspired since they finally got past their nemesis, but it is a little consolation to know the Pens hung in there closer than the Bolts are, didn't see this one coming I don't think anyone did. It doesn't change anything but at least we didn't get whacked like Tampa is so far!

[lemieuxReturns]

It actually makes it worse for me. Now that I see the Bolts are this weak, we could have made it to the finals again this year. Also, with Nashville out, sheesh.... a three-peat was even closer than I thought.

#ThanksLetang -- just kidding -- kind of.

[Weegie]

It actually makes it worse for me. Now that I see the Bolts are this weak, we could have made it to the finals again this year. Also, with Nashville out, sheesh.... a three-peat was even closer than I thought.

#ThanksLetang -- just kidding -- kind of.

I was thinking this same thing too, the flip side of the coin......had they made it past the Caps perhaps they could've gone all the way again, but we'll never know I guess.

Sigh......

[penny lane]

"We had a chance," Crosby would tell me as that skate was peeled off. "We could have done it again."

The captain knew.

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2018 ... -capitals/

Next year- make adjustments when the most dominate feature of the team, scoring, is not happening.

[Weegie]

I'll always wonder if Kuhnackl's overtime post shot would've went in, could they have won that 7th game in Washington?

Again, sigh........

[no name]

From watching it, Holtby vs Vasilevkiy is the mismatch. The Vas looks lost at times.

[pronovost19]

The Capitals have learned to play like a team. They always could do it in the regular season but evaporated under the pressure of the playoffs. This year, for whatever reason, they have buried the "me" and adopted the team game. It shows in their play and their attitude. It shows in their demeanor on the ice. They are playing for each other and not themselves or their stats. It took Oven-chicken this long to learn that a team game is what wins these things. Ironically enough, the Capitals management and organization waylay-ed and allowed the Great8 to be the show instead of preaching a team game.

[Great58]

No fear, Winnipeg will shut down the Caps should they get that far.

[no name]

No fear, Winnipeg will shut down the Caps should they get that far.

Agree with this, Winnipeg looks dominate so far. I still can't count VGK or TB out of it yet.

On a side note, T. Wilson won't make it to the end of the playoffs without another suspension. He plays like a loose canon. He totally bowled over Vas last night, he was lucky to get back up.

[Antonio]

Them winning just makes me sick. They barely beat us and really shouldn't have. I hate seeing that classless team of savages be rewarded in any way.

[largegarlic]

It doesn't make me feel any better. Generally, I like to see the Caps (and Flyers) lose every series regardless of who they're playing or whether they beat the Pens prior to that.

Then considering this specific case, it's annoying because I don't feel like this specific Caps team is all that good. I wouldn't say the Pens should have won the series, but they definitely could have, even with no secondary scoring, Letang brainfarts, Murray softies, etc., if a couple bounces and calls go the other way. It'd be frustrating thinking that the Pens could have had a real shot if they had gotten out of last round.

[Steve]

I would wait to see how it plays out. Caps fans were ready to trade Ovechkin and blow it up when they went down 2-0 to the Jackets - now they are expecting to win a cup in a few weeks. I think they'll be wrong both times.

[djlm]

! the caps.

I hate this "Ovie deserves his cup" crap. The cup is earned, not deserved.

[lemieuxReturns]

Guilty pleasure : watching Orpik lose.

He is not an ex-penguin I will ever cheer for.

[stonewizard51]

! the caps.

I hate this "Ovie deserves his cup" crap. The cup is earned, not deserved.

Exactly

[Pitts]

I thought I would hate seeing the Caps win, I really did. But for some reason, I'm okay with what they are doing.

To say that if the Pens would have gotten past them, they would have had the same success against Tampa as Washington is silly. You never know how each matchup is going to go. And to say they would have a n easy road to a 3-peat is even more silly. Have you watch Winnipeg play? DAMN!

I think more fans than want to admit it knew these Pens were out of gas and had run their course. Pens will rest and reload for next year and be right back at it.

[Pitts]

! the caps.

I hate this "Ovie deserves his cup" crap. The cup is earned, not deserved.

Well, he's earning it now. Isn't he?

[IntangibleBeer]

The Capitals have learned to play like a team. They always could do it in the regular season but evaporated under the pressure of the playoffs. This year, for whatever reason, they have buried the "me" and adopted the team game. It shows in their play and their attitude. It shows in their demeanor on the ice. They are playing for each other and not themselves or their stats. It took Oven-chicken this long to learn that a team game is what wins these things. Ironically enough, the Capitals management and organization waylay-ed and allowed the Great8 to be the show instead of preaching a team game.

I totally agree with this assessment. Over the years, the Caps biggest problem has been their ownership and management. The Pens only won their first cup in 1991 when they brought in a first-rate management structure.

Having said that, I am somewhat surprised at Tampa's inability to beat Washington. As talent laden as they are, the Bolts should take the series. Unfortunately, they look "soff" . I think the Caps make the SC Finals.

However, either Vegas (who took it to the Jets last night) or Winnipeg will hoist Lord Stanley's Cup this year. I would love to see Fleury win another Cup. I am truly happy for him and what he's accomplished.

[Faubert5]

! the caps.

I hate this "Ovie deserves his cup" crap. The cup is earned, not deserved.

That's how things are done in DC in general - why not hockey too? Hell, if you can get a nomination to run for president because "it's your turn" then why not a Stanley Cup?

[Badger Bob]

Well, I see that Tom Wilson got smacked in the noggin by Anton Stralman last night in Game 3 of that series.

Here's what Wilson had to say about the hit:

"I'm not here to complain about anything. I'm just talking about it for the better of the game and for the better of player safety,"


What a jagoff. He must have been feeling the affects of getting hit in the head. Then again, I'm not sure you can damage a cement head.

[lemieuxReturns]

I really hope TB has found their game and rattle off 3 more wins.

[Badger Bob]

I'm conflicted. I've been leaning toward wanting to see the Caps make it to the Finals against the Golden Knights and MAF just owning them again. That would be pretty awesome. Then again, the closer they get to the cup, the more nervous I feel. So part of me wants them to pull a Caps choke job this round.

[lemieuxReturns]

I'm conflicted. I've been leaning toward wanting to see the Caps make it to the Finals against the Golden Knights and MAF just owning them again. That would be pretty awesome. Then again, the closer they get to the cup, the more nervous I feel. So part of me wants them to pull a Caps choke job this round.

Take pleasure in seeing Kunitz eliminate them again. Good enough for me.

[largegarlic]

Well, I see that Tom Wilson got smacked in the noggin by Anton Stralman last night in Game 3 of that series.

Here's what Wilson had to say about the hit:

"I'm not here to complain about anything. I'm just talking about it for the better of the game and for the better of player safety,"


What a jagoff. He must have been feeling the affects of getting hit in the head. Then again, I'm not sure you can damage a cement head.

He's the worst. He should at least own up to being a scumbag. When they interviewed Marchand about one of his licking incidents, he pretty much just said, "Yeah, I licked a guy after he gave me a couple face washes with his glove. That's just how I roll. What are you going to do about it?" At least that's honest.

[Badger Bob]

Wilson is all about public denial. Always trying to justify his own actions. IMO, Trotz loves his style of dirty play and probably encourages it to some degree.