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Three things to watch for on tonight’s episode of 24/7

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It’s become the must-see TV of December and HBO’s 24/7 Penguins/Capitals Road to the Winter Classic has the second episode coming at us tonight at 10 pm ET. Since the games and situations have already happened we’ve got a general idea for what direction this episode could take. If you missed the first episode of the show, don’t worry we’ve got it for you here so you can get caught up.

So what can we keep our eyes peeled for? There’s a few things. If you think we’re spoiling anything for you... Well, sorry, I guess. That or we ask that you pay better attention to how your teams are doing.

A change of fortunes

Episode one showed how high the Penguins were riding in the middle of their 12 game win streak while the Caps were floundering during their eight game losing streak. Tonight, we’ll get to see how the Penguins handle losing. The Pens dropped two in a row to divisional rivals the Flyers and Rangers. Things seemed very positive for the Pens throughout the first episode and getting to see how they turn it around should prove interesting. The roller coaster of those losses followed by the thumping they put on Phoenix could provide an opportunity to show coach Dan Bylsma as a genius of sorts. It could also show that having a healthy Evgeni Malkin back on the ice makes a big difference.

As for the Caps, we’ll see them snap their losing streak with a win over Ottawa. We’ll get to see how Bruce Boudreau handles his team after well played but tough losses to Anaheim and Boston and then turning it into a gutsy win over the Senators. Do we see the swear meter go off the charts as we see the Caps losing streak both get extended and end in one episode? Who knows, but seeing how Boudreau handles the team throughout this episode should prove to be fascinating analytical theater.

Semin and Ovechkin

HBO promised us at the end of the first episode to show how Washington’s two Alexes, Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin, get along and do things in D.C. We didn’t see very much of anything having to do with the two biggest offensive stars the Caps have and getting this first real major look at how they do things should make for good fodder. It also might give us the opportunity to learn some fun new colorful Russian words if we listen carefully.

Ovechkin, and especially Semin, are viewed as being “mysterious” stars in the NHL in that they aren’t seen as warm and approachable as Sidney Crosby is viewed to be. How these two come off could alter the way many fans look at these young stars in the league. Some fans may have a good idea about Ovechkin thanks to his DVD that came out last month but many fans really don’t know how well they can relate to him. Giving these two the face time to show off around D.C. could be great.

Perceptions changing?

What we gathered from the first episode is that the Penguins were a fun loving bunch with a coach in Dan Bylsma that knows how to push the right buttons and keep the team moving all while under the watch of a tough-grading general manager in Ray Shero. Meanwhile, the Caps came off as a sullen and downtrodden group of players with a nice guy coach that’s got a foul mouth lead by an owner in Ted Leonsis who looks virtually diabolical in talking about his desire to win the Stanley Cup immediately.

Will we get a peek at the other side of things? There’s another side of Ted Leonsis that’s great with the fans and working as an icon in the Washington community. There’s also an owner in Pittsburgh who used to play for the team whose desire to win is as rabid as anyone imaginable. Getting a peek inside the Penguins front office might help show that off. We know that how things are going with the teams help reflect how things appear to be, but will the way HBO framed the first episode hold up throughout the series? We’ll find out tonight.