It’s happening again. The Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins are facing off in round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
What are the things you need to know heading into Game One tonight? For the Capitals, Andre Burakovsky is still considered “week-to-week” after he recently had surgery to fix an upper-body injury. He hasn’t been completely ruled out for the series, but Young ‘Dre still needs rest. On the Penguins side, Carl Hagelin and Evgeni Malkin have both been ruled out for tonight. Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed them as “day-to-day”, with their respective injuries, after a brutal six-game series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
To be totally honest, I’m actually feeling very fine and I hope you are too. A tad nervous, but very excited. Cool as a cucumber. All of us. Let’s do this.
Good tweet Pete will have your recap. Puck drop is at 7PM and you can view this delightful match on NBCSPens- I mean NBCSN.
The final regular season stats:
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Record | 47-29-6 | 49-26-7 |
| Shot Attempt % | 52.3% | 48.3% |
| PDO | 98.5 | 101.4 |
| Power Play | 26.2% | 22.5% |
| Penalty Kill | 80.0% | 80.3% |
Projected Lines
Travis Boyd was once again practicing in place for TJ Oshie, but just because Osh still needs some tune up. He’s expected to play tonight. Otherwise? We’re sticking with the same. Thanks to Isabelle Khurshudyan at the Washington Post as always:
Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Stephenson – Backstrom – Oshie
Connolly – Eller – DSP
Vrana – Beagle -Chiasson
Kempny – Carlson
Orlov – Niskanen
Orpik – Djoos
Holtby
Pump it up
Do you feel like getting really wrapped up in all your feelings? The Capitals recently released this video and if you haven’t seen it yet, please watch it. Crank the volume up. It will rock you.
New Day. New Series. Clean Slate. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/cpw0BR3BM7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 24, 2018
Storylines
- Nobody is more excited about this second round against the Penguins than Alex Ovechkin.
- Time for the second round playoff predictions from Ian, Peter, and Keith, a coin.
- If you’re headed to the game this evening, make sure you pick yourself up a rally towel!
- Nathan Walker is walkin’ back into our lives! He got called up from Hershey.
- Speaking of Hershey, the Bears’ coach Troy Mann will not be returning for next season.
- John Carlson is on fire. Seriously, he tied a 30-year-old franchise record for points in a $ingle $eries.
- Mark it in your calendars! The second round schedule is live.
- Stop unleashing the worry, it’s time to unleash the fury. Read this post. Immediately.
- Matt Murray should try for a baseball career. Right now, before Game One starts would be preferable.
- “The last place I would live is Pittsburgh” –Tom Wilson and that’s good because it’s probably the last place he would be accepted.
- Alan May? He rules.
- Tonight’s game mantra? Think positive and have fun!
It’s all good
Go for a walk, don’t forget to drink some water, breathe deeply. It’s all good! Here is some content of my favorite animal, the koala, to help soothe your pre-second round jitters. If you have no pre-second round jitters, then good for you. You’re not better than me.
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