So while the Caps are the only team in the East to have advanced to the next round of the playoffs, they must sit and wait as the other teams continue to battle to advance and then we will see who our next opponent will be.
Buffalo (the 7th seed) had a great opportunity to put the Flyers away on Sunday as they led the series 3-2 and was winning Game 6 3-1 at home but they couldn't finish. Now that series is tied 3-3 and heading back to Philly for the deciding Game 7 tonight. I am hoping for a Buffalo win as I feel they would be the easiest team to face in Round 2. Still, I feel Buffalo blew their opportunity in Game 6 and I am expecting Philly to pull it out at home and advance.
Montreal (the 6th seed) was up in their series against Boston 2-0 but with the return of Chara have lost 3 in a row and it's looking more and more like the Bruins will advance. Frankly, I wouldn't want to face Montreal anyways.
Pittsburgh had a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Lightning but Tampa Bay blew out the Pens in Game 5 8-2 and then won Game 6 last night back in TB so they are headed for a series deciding Game 7 up in Pittsburgh tomorrow night. Not sure who is going to pull this out. Watched some of their game last night and TB certainly looked like the more relaxed and confident team. Pittsburgh looked to be pressing but they will be playing back at home. Still, I feel like the Lightning is going to pull this out.
Given that I believe Philly and Boston will win their series, we would play the winner of Pitt and TB. Frankly, despite being the higher seed (Pitt is 4 and TB is 5), I would rather face Pittsburgh. TB has star players in Stamkos, St. Louis, and Lecavalier. They also seem to be getting good goalie play from Roloson. I feel like we would welcome the opportunity to play Pittsburgh and despite our past issues with them in the playoffs, I think we would handle them this year. Again, I would be more concerned facing the Lightning.
In the end, it really doesn't matter because to be the best, you have to beat the best. Frankly, I don't think any of the teams that remain would look forward to facing the Caps. We certainly seem to be acting the part of the number 1 seed and I feel like we are ready to face who ever is handed to us.
Can't wait for Round 2!
UNLEASH THE FURY!!!
3 comments:
As expected, Philly took care of Buffalo. The Habs tied up the series with the Bruins last night forcing a deciding Game 7. So it looks like it will be either the Canadiens OR the winner of tonight's Penguins/Lightning game.
My choices would be in this order:
1. Canadiens
2. Penguins
3. Lightning
Still, whoever we draw, I am confident in our ability to win.
Each team poses it's own difficulties for the Caps, so it really doesn't matter who we face. We're the top seed and we should beat whoever we draw.
Each of the teams you listed would provide a great storyline. The Habs beat us last year in round 1. The Pens are the Pens and we hate them. The Lightning are our division rivals. Beating any of these teams would be sweet.
True, it doesn't matter who we face because I expect to win. However, as we have seen by the rest of the playoff series in the East, the margin of victory is VERY slim as all these series have gone the full 7 games.
Again, I like our team and it is imperative that we get through Round 2. I expect that to happen regardless who we play. The dream season would be to face and beat the Canadiens in the next round to exorcise demons from last year. Face and beat the Pens with Crosby returning in the Conference Finals to exorcise the demons over the last 2 decades and then face and beat the Red Wings in the Finals for redemption from our last time in the Cup and to beat arguably hockey's most historic franchise.
Don't want to look ahead too far and again, whoever we face in Round 2, I expect to win.
UNLEASH THE FURY!!!
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