Caps learned to play defense

[MarioLives]

Did the pens and caps switch bodies? Caps actually look like they are playing defense and a disciplined system

[Gaucho]

They still don't have any hope of winning the Cup.

[Godric]

I actually put green on the caps to win it all

[mikey287]

I actually put green on the caps to win it all

One of the worst franchises in sports history...? You should have donated the money to charity...

[columbia]

I actually put green on the caps to win it all

I put money on the Bruins, after two losses to VAN last year.

[Steve]

Sad to say, but I think NYR in the finals. Looking at the matchups: Pens, Flyers, Boston - two of those will be gone, and the remaining team beat up, by the time they will have to play the Rangers.

[tfrizz]

Sad to say, but I think NYR in the finals. Looking at the matchups: Pens, Flyers, Boston - two of those will be gone, and the remaining team beat up, by the time they will have to play the Rangers.

NYR would most likely face New Jersey in the 2nd round... a team that could very well knock them off.

[penmyst]

The Caps "defense" has more resembled the sort of "defense" a spindly little kid puts up as a bully rains fists down on his head and forearms. Have you watched both of those games? The Bruins could have and should have won both running away. Other than the Caps PP, the Caps haven't mustered hardly any periods of sustained offensive pressure. The Bruins have went for long, constant, continuous sessions of forecheck--shot--forecheck--shot--forecheck--shot ad infinitum.

If it weren't for Holtby playing lights out, the Bruins would be up 3 games to 0 after the first 2. That's not a typo, it's an exaggeration for effect.

[Pitt87]

Caps aren't exactly playing an offensive powerhouse in Boston. Biggest difference from years past and this year is Mike Green. The guy doesn't make the same stupid plays he once did in the hopes that he can someday be the offensive stud he wanted so badly to be.

[C4 Row E]

I actually put green on the caps to win it all

One of the worst franchises in sports history...? You should have donated the money to charity...

I have the Kings at 50/1. I should have a little fun over the next few weeks.

[AlexPKeaton]

They had a highlight of Semin actually laying down to block a shot last night. Has any Pen's forward done this (outside of Adams)? Clearly the Caps now have their version of HCMT.

[MRandall25]

[Idoit40fans]

Maybe they space jam'd the penguins ability to play defense away from them.

[Sarcastic]

They had a highlight of Semin actually laying down to block a shot last night. Has any Pen's forward done this (outside of Adams)? Clearly the Caps now have their version of HCMT.

Now that I think of it, you're right. I remember Pens' players throw themselves in front of the puck a couple years ago. I don't remember us doing that much lately. Maybe we did become lazy and entitled.

[tfrizz]

They had a highlight of Semin actually laying down to block a shot last night. Has any Pen's forward done this (outside of Adams)? Clearly the Caps now have their version of HCMT.

Now that I think of it, you're right. I remember Pens' players throw themselves in front of the puck a couple years ago. I don't remember us doing that much lately. Maybe we did become lazy and entitled.

Pens have blocked 36 shots in 3 games, tied for 9th in the playoffs. Breakdown

[offsides]

They had a highlight of Semin actually laying down to block a shot last night. Has any Pen's forward done this (outside of Adams)? Clearly the Caps now have their version of HCMT.

Now that I think of it, you're right. I remember Pens' players throw themselves in front of the puck a couple years ago. I don't remember us doing that much lately. Maybe we did become lazy and entitled.

Pens have blocked 36 shots in 3 games, tied for 9th in the playoffs. Breakdown

Caps blocked 49 shats in 2 games, very unCap like.

[npv708]

The Caps strategy isn't that different from the MT Pens strategy of 2008. They give up a ton and I mean a ton of shots, but they're mostly poor angle and outside shots, so they rely on Holtby to make a lot of relatively easy saves. The thing that makes them good at it is that they have a very skilled and talented lineup with a lot of speed, especially on defense.

[MarioLives]

So will they win the series? Will they make it out of east? Seem to be playing well and within their system

[Idoit40fans]

No. Holtby will collapse at some point.

[shafnutz05]

No. Holtby will collapse at some point.

This. That team is relying solely on Holtby. I honestly think losing game 3 dooms them.

[bhaw]

not sure if it was posted somewhere else, but did anyone read the article on Hunter blaming the Bruins for going after Backstrom's head? My favorite line, out of Dale Hunter's mouth was...

''It is crossing the line,'' Hunter said. ''To grab his head all the time is not the right way to play.''

I love the irony coming out of Hunter's mouth given the way he played the game and intentionally took a player out of the playoffs. I know it was long ago, but there is some humor there.

[Digitalgypsy66]

not sure if it was posted somewhere else, but did anyone read the article on Hunter blaming the Bruins for going after Backstrom's head? My favorite line, out of Dale Hunter's mouth was...

''It is crossing the line,'' Hunter said. ''To grab his head all the time is not the right way to play.''

I love the irony coming out of Hunter's mouth given the way he played the game and intentionally took a player out of the playoffs. I know it was long ago, but there is some humor there.

Yeah, it wasn't missed by some national media types. John Buccigross posted Pierre Turgeon's response as a Youtube video of a baby laughing hysterically.

For those not in the know:

[Godric]

Oops

[canaan]

For tonight, I am a rags fan

[duke66]

yes they did learn, and u could argue this is the best caps team of the AO era (at least for playoff style), and yet still no further than the 2nd round.