4 long days to discuss the number 5 and 6 overall seeds left in the tournament squaring off over the next 18 days. Post all related info here. As well as any jokes you can think of about Andy in Halifax. Fuck the enemy.
Personally, I went 3-5 in the first round so i will hold off on making winner projections going forward. This one should go 6+.
As far as this series' storylines, not exactly rivals but you knew somehow/someway the Rangers big trade this past offseason would end up with that player coming back to face us in a playoff round. It's been the story of the Torts/AV tenure:
Brassard, Gaborik, Stralman, Boyle, Callahan, Hagelin, Prust... off the top of my head
Everyone will talk about Mika vs Brassard in this series and i get why. To me the more relevant analysis is Stepan vs Brassard. One of them was getting traded given cap issues, and I'm certain the Rangers shopped both (DS supposedly wanted to play for Minnesota).
But i guess Gorton got the return he liked better on Brassard.... similar players -- Stepan needs to have a big series and outperform Brass-balls for us to be successful.
Finally, Geeey vs Elaine. How did Geeey get that massive scar on his face?
Even if the Caps are on paper a better team, the Pens rolling out Crosby, Malkin and Kessel is made for the playoffs. Guys like Hornquist, Rust, and even Guentzel are perfect to play alongside them.
Hope we get there and find out.
Sucks for the kid. not much of a scorer, but really solid possession player. Tough loss for Nashville.
Have to exploit their blue line in their end. Karlsson is obviously a world-class player but they're not very deep at the position otherwise.
Would be great to get this first game and put the pressure on them to take Game 2.
I don't care if it's 3-0 Caps in this series at some point. Pitt wins it.
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Was there a reason why the two Eastern games are tonight and not split up?
Preds-Rangers Final. Rangers in 3.
Caps couldn't play last night due to Bullets home game. Not sure why NYR didn't play last nite. Maybe other scheduling issues.
Would've been much better viewing to split the east games.
Thanks.
Rangers can beat Caps/Penguins if they roll four lines of skill. We saw the Leafs control play against the Caps at points because of their forwards. Rangers can do the same.
And Lundqvist can steal any given series himself.
I don't think it's likely or anything, but it's not like the Rangers have 10% odds in that series.