Here are my picks for the first round:

East

• Washington over Montreal in 5
• Buffalo over Boston in 6
• Philadelphia over New Jersey in 7
• Ottawa over Pittsburgh in 7

West

• San Jose over Colorado in 7
• Chicago over Nashville in 5
• Vancouver over Los Angeles in 6
• Phoenix over Detroit in 7

duh dun DUH!

At the end of the day, it’s about how you’re remembered as a person as opposed to as an athlete. I think I made my parents proud.

~ Olaf Kolzig on what makes him feel most proud.

After many years of fandom, I was finally able to meet Olie the goalie two years ago as the Capitals were entering the playoffs against Philadelphia. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his response to me telling him I hoped he got some ice time in that series. He told me he didn’t, because that would have meant that the team was not doing well and needed to change things up. He was always a team-first guy and always a true class act, even when his larger-than-life passions bubbled over on the ice. His dedication on the ice was matched only by his dedication to the community, particularly children with Autism.

I always hoped he’d get to hoist the Stanley Cup and retire in a Washington Capitals sweater, but it wasn’t meant to be. Nevertheless, ‘Zilla was a heck of a goaltender, the heart of the Capitals for many a year, and a source of pride for Washington, DC. I’m certain that it is only a matter of time before #37 hangs in the rafters at Verizon Center.

How does this guy stay an elected official?

The Capitals never had a sniff last night. They came out hard in the third and at least made a period of it, but from Marc-Andre Fleury’s incredible stop on Ovechkin’s breakaway in the first, the Penguins were the better team, and they deserved the win.

To be brutally honest, I was surprised that it went to 7 games. Every game was a one-goal difference. The Capitals were outshot and outworked on the boards for 5 of 7 games, after winning the first two at home. A blowout was bound to happen. Just so happens it was Game 7 and the Caps don’t get another chance this year.

Breakdown day is tomorrow, and we’ll hear what has been ailing Mike Green, who has been nearly invisible in the playoffs.

Boston is my #2 team, so I’ll pull for them the rest of the way. Blackhawks are my #1 team in the west, so I’ll pull for them too. There’s still quite a bit of good hockey left to watch.

Some takeaways:

• Caps gave their worst performance of the playoffs. Just horrid.
• Penguins gave their best of the series for sure. I didn’t watch their last series.
• Caps still forced OT.
• Calls went one way all night. I’m not going to say that is bias, because when one team is in their own end all night being handled, they tend to take penalties. It comes with fatigue. However, I will say that when a player gets pushed into the net by an opposing player, and that player is called for delay of game… That’s iffy. And there were other calls just as iffy. But so it goes.
• When we get some defense, we will be seriously tough to play. Varlamov has kept us in many, MANY games.

Caps are up in the series, two games to one. Tonight has the potential to be a huge momentum booster for the winning team. Unfortunately, game 5 is tomorrow so anything can happen then once fatigue sets in. I’m hoping for no OT tonight, and a win for the Caps of course.

Go Caps!

Crosby whined about hats. For the face of the NHL he sure hates tradition.

Kunitz tried to take Varlamov’s head off with a crosscheck to the throat, but was only fined. As far as I’m concerned that means open season on winter chickens.

Crosby also had a hat trick, with the third goal coming after the aforementioned crosscheck to the throat that wasn’t called.

Ovechkin had this to say.

Game 2 Aftermath Summary:
Penguins throwing everything at the media. Alleging Ovechkin uses an illegal stick. Alleging the Caps are setting illegal picks on faceoffs. Pens fans hating Leonsis for restricting ticket purchases.

My take? Keep whining, Pens and Pens fans… That worked out so well for the Rangers.

Game 3 is tonight at Mellon Arena. They’ve declared today “Black & Gold Day”, but are calling for a white out. Not too bright up there. Of course, they are giving out white t-shirts to accomplish the latter. Something I’m proud to say Verizon Center never has to do to have the Red Rockin’ all night.

I’ll be at Bugsy’s, where I’ve watched every playoff road victory so far. Can’t break the cycle.

GO CAPS!

Tonight is Game 2. I hear Sidney’s been practicing into open nets all weekend, and likely having nightmares about Varlamov.

I’m off to Verizon Center shortly. GO CAPS!

The Caps have advanced to the second round, and are facing their most hated rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The media and drama will be insane around this series. The ultimate battle between Crosby/Malkin v. Ovechkin/Semin. Varlamov and the Capitals defensive corps was aces against the Rangers, but can they hold up to the offensive threats of Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh eliminated Philadelphia, but can their squad stop the Capitals’ offensive juggernaut?

Penguins want redemption in the finals, but they have to get there first. Capitals haven’t advanced past the first round in 11 years, but they don’t want to go home yet, either.

Puck drops at one o’clock. Well, one o’clock plus whatever fluff NBC adds. So probably 1:20.

Off to the game!

Win or go home.

Let’s get it done, boys!

GO CAPS!