Okay, so, let’s try this again. The Pittsburgh Penguins are still in DC for Game Two against the Washington Capitals. In terms of what the Capitals will need to focus on to win this game? Getting to the finish line. That’s literally it. Holding a lead and closing out the game.
Despite being on the ice for practice in a full contact jersey, Evgeni Malkin will miss Game Two with a lower-body injury.
Though when has winning Game One ever really worked out for the Capitals? Exactly, so let’s keep our heads up, and let’s get this series really going.
Peter will have your recap after he goes to see a certain film. The puck will drop a tad after 3PM and you will need to flip your channels to NBC.
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
Heading into Game Two, there are no line changes. We’re staying the course, fam. There has been no update on Andre Burakovsky. He remains out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Stephenson – Backstrom – Oshie
Connolly – Eller – DSP
Vrana – Beagle -Chiasson
Kempny – Carlson
Orlov – Niskanen
Orpik – Djoos
Holtby
The Past is the Past
Okay so this is scary… but I like the look of “10-1”???
Every playoff game is important, obviously. But Game 2 is absolutely critical for the #Caps. Why? In the Crosby/Malkin Era, the #Pens have never lost a series after going up 2-0. They are 10-0 in those situations. #CapsPens
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) April 29, 2018
Storylines
- Evgeni Malkin will miss Game Two with a lower-body injury.
- Nate Schmidt is thriving in Las Vegas. He sent the Golden Knights to overtime last night. *wipes tears from eyes*
- Alex Ovechkin in a commercial alert. Alex Ovechkin in a commercial alert. Alex Ovechkin in a commercial alert.
- Tuukka Rask had an equipment malfunction and threw his skate blade. I have to say, the incident did produce probably my favorite photos of the 2017-18 season. They’re hysterical.
- The Canucks wanted to send their mascot, Fin, to represent them at the draft lottery. The NHL told them no because they do not enjoy fun.
- UK Hockey is makin’ waves! Get on the train, it’s a good time.
- Guess who wasn’t nominated for the Hart Trophy? Alex Ovechkin. Guess who should’ve been nominated for the Hart Trophy? ALEX OVECHKIN… MAYBE.
- When I was first learning about hockey I used to call Alex Ovechkin “Alex Ova-chicken”. So, when this Australian TV reporter completely butchered his name, I totally get it.
- I know you probably don’t want to think about Game One, but we do have the morning after numbers for you in case you want to be sad again! It’s like splashing cold water on your face.
- Elliotte “messy” Friedman is being so spicy and telling people he can definitely lip read. He thinks Barry Trotz was telling John Tortorella “I’m gone” after the Blue Jackets series ended.
Habs Tweets
Last night, it was announced that the Buffalo Sabres won the first overall pick in the draft lottery. The other two teams that were in the running for the first pick were the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens. The second pick went to the Canes while Montreal snagged the third spot.
One of my favorite things is “make fun of the Habs” twitter. So, of course when they failed to secure number one and number two, the reactions were impeccable.
Once again, the Habs disappoint after two periods.
— Will (@HeyMyNameIsWill) April 29, 2018
Good for Montreal. If there’s any team that deserves a chance at landing a franchise defenseman, it’s the Canadiens.
— DL (@davelozo) April 28, 2018
BREAKING: Bergevin thinks his lottery pick has character issues.
— Steve Dangle Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) April 28, 2018
People are saying that Habs fans deserve this draft lottery outcome after such a tough year. But have you ever considered that maybe the Habs and their fans deserve nothing good ever?
— Justin Fisher (@thejustinfisher) April 28, 2018
Of the three teams remaining in the #NHLDraftLottery, Montreal would definitely be the most fun winner, mostly because they’d spend the first eighteen or so months trying to convert Rasmus Dahlin into a centre
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) April 29, 2018
That was quite literally the most exciting moment of the Habs’ season
— Doug (@Drdougboston) April 29, 2018
So now Rasmus Dahlin has to wait to find if he’ll start his career in Buffalo, Carolina, or whichever team offers the Canadiens a terrible trade.
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) April 28, 2018
Headline Image: AP Photo/Nick Wass
