A Lesson in Prematurity
Sure feels nice to sit back, crack open a non-game Neuvy, and simply enjoy the thrill of playoff hockey, doesn’t it? And are we being treated to some grade A competition or what? Two series in the East already cemented in Game 7s, the other a storied rivalry, with the potential for a seventh game, filled with all the drama hockey fans hoped for. Because let’s face it, when you see the Bruins and the Canadiens lined up for a playoff tilt, you expect a list of penalties, fights, and injuries at least as long as Brad Marchand’s nose.
Nashville advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in the history of their franchise, so congratulations to them for that. You had to think that Anaheim would be a playoff falterer this year, with Randy Carlyle running his top 2 lines for 70% of the Ducks’ ice time. That’s a no-no in playoff hockey, and now his hockey team can enjoy that beachy weather without having to worry about pesky hockey practice. The Kings are trying to write another chapter in the San Jose/Joe Thornon Novel of Choke (nevermind, as Thornton pots the OT winner), while the Red Wings do whatever it is that the Green Goblin…er, Mike Babcock has them doing. We assume that it involves Johan Franzen using his beard’s powers to heal Henrik Zetterberg’s ailment while Niklas Lidstrom tries to clear room on his mantelpiece in lieu of yet another Norris nomination. Meanwhile, Pavel Datsyuk beats his wife and kids in a fit of fury after not being nominated for the Lady Byng.
When Mike Babcock isn't antagonizing Spiderman he can be found coaching the Detroit Redwings
And then there’s Vancouver. Vancouver/Chicago really, who are we kidding? Vancouver is obviously the compelling team in this series. They were on the gravy-train for the first three games of the series, but three consecutive Chicago wins, two blowouts, and one surprising goaltending change, and the wheels are falling off the bus. Shit, even Peter Laviolette thinks the goaltending situation in Vancouver is messed up.
But while this hiatus in stress, anger, and jubilation alike has been relaxing, the hockey has not been played without consequence. Since Saturday afternoon Capitals fans have been pondering who the Caps will meet in the next round of the playoffs- a round they haven’t seen since Pittsburgh knocked the Caps out in Game 7 in 2009, en route to their Stanley Cup (we believe in the meddling hand of Gary Bettman, do you?) With both the Canadiens and Sabres playing tomorrow, it’s likely we’ll find out our opponent as those games conclude. But if the Habs and Flyers pull out victories tomorrow, we’ll be left for one more night to our anticipatory brooding.
Of course, that brooding is exactly what Caps fans wanted. How long has it been since we’ve been able to watch as the second round matchups unfolded around us? It’s been since 1998, that’s how long. God damn! No wonder it feels so good. As good as it is for us, you have to think the players are enjoying it immensely as well. They get a chance to get out of the limelight for a few days, allowing the focus to shift to visionary artists or cupcake bike rides (okay, maybe they all can’t get out of the spotlight. It’s DC, afterall).
Expect Washington to stroll into Verizon Center for Round 2 Game 1 feeling refreshed, at ease, and confident. I don’t mean to insinuate that Washington is over-satisfied with their Round 1 handling of the Rangers. By all accounts, the locker room mood remains somber and focused. Judging by the modest way with which the Caps players and coaches addressed the media this week, I consider those accounts to be accurate. When the number one story in DC is “which defensemen do the Caps sit when Wideman returns”, things must be going pretty well. Hell, there aren’t even any calls for Varly in net (though in a postseason where the pulled-goalie is the ultimate momentum shift, leashes will remain tight).
So while we wait, we speculate. Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, or Pittsburgh. Who would you like to face in the next round?
My choice is, unfortunately, the most unlikely to happen. I’d like to play the Penguins in round 2. Why? Because I think they’d be the easiest to beat. For one, the obvious: No Crosby, no Malkin. Bylsma’s squad simply doesn’t have the firepower to matchup with the Caps without their big guns. It’s starting to show against the Lightning (the team that I’d least like to face), as Boucher’s team makes adjustment and stymies the Pens’ system. Throw in the revenge factor, and I think the Caps could take a series against the Pens in 6, max. With 87 and 71 it’s a different story.
A more likely matchup, however, would be against Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres. This is a matchup that MJS and Iwere pining for as the regular season wound down. Having it as a potential 2nd round matchup makes our eyes light up. Of course, the Sabres have to prove they’re worthy of second round playoff hockey, and defeating the Flyers in their own building in a pivotal game 7 will be no easy task. Unless their netminding…well…continues to do exactly what it has done all series long: suck.
The Sabres are built very similarly to the Rangers: their best player is between the pipes, and is a threat to steal a game on any given night (see: two 1-0 ECQF victories). They’ve got less grind than the Rangers, but significantly more offensive talent. The Sabres don’t have a shutdown D pairing like Staal & Girardi, but they do have Tyler Myers, who despite his behemoth frame, is pretty keen offensively, and loves to join the rush. If the Caps do end up squaring off against the Sabres next round, I vow to never use the adjective ‘towering’ to describe Mr. Myers. But you’ll hear it elsewhere. Oh, you’ll hear it.
As always, join us on twitter for colorful commentary on the playoffs as they unfold.
KK