Comments on: Playoff matchups: Bruins begin title defense against Capitals

By: elvispocomo

elvispocomo — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:13:49 +0000

I’d like to say the Caps, but even if they’re backup-backup goalie is good enough to play in the NHL, how long will it take fro the Bruins to run him in the first game? I’m not saying they’re looking for intent to injure, but certainly some ‘incidental’ contact is coming Holtby’s way. If the Casps can make them pay with some goals, they might survive, but chances aren’t good.

By: joshuakorr

joshuakorr — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:33:51 +0000

I’ve never thought of the caps as a team that gets bodies on the goalie.

By: bethgoesglobal

bethgoesglobal — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:37:39 +0000

The fact that the Caps have played well and won both games in Boston is a serious boost for their confidence given their record away from home.

By: bethgoesglobal

bethgoesglobal — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:30:20 +0000

The Caps have proven that they can compete with the Bruins big, burly D-men. Size doesn’t always matter.

By: mgp1219

mgp1219 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:13:05 +0000

so what lkne is Alzner going to “shut down”, Krejci-Lucic-Peverly or Bergeron-Seguin-Marchand?

By: dcfan4life

dcfan4life — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:27:02 +0000

Then you didnt watch the last 5 games for the Caps, nor the 4 games against the Bruins, including 2 wins in Boston in the last month. Your comments on the Bruins strengths are fine, but name the last time the Caps gave up 6 goals for such a soft defense and bad goaltending? The answer would be November 25th…

By: dipthatchip

dipthatchip — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 17:28:45 +0000

he’s def not considered the shutdown man in the District…the name Karl Alzner ring a bell?

By: 8man

8man — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:35:31 +0000

I agree. So true. I’m a big Bruins fan, but what they last year is immaterial here. Just as, if they are eliminated from the playoffs, they are still the 2010-2011 Cup Champions.

By: steviep23

steviep23 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:07:18 +0000

All the caps need is one win in the first two games and shift home ice. I don’t see them having a problem doing that.

By: jrocknstuff

jrocknstuff — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:31:38 +0000

Everyone saying goaltending will kill the Caps has never seen Holtby play. The kid is an NHL goaltender. He is far from third string. The Caps may lose this series, but it won’t be due to Holtby….. or Neuvirth if he is able to go. The Caps are still weak on the blue line, as they always have been. Regardless I like Washington in 6. The key will be getting bodies on Thomas. The more traffic they put in front of him, the better chance they have of throwing him off his game. If they can’t get anyone to the net, they will be going home in 5

By: kgun80

kgun80 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:17:06 +0000

5 games… Sorry Caps fans.. You don’t have the goaltending .. Your D is soft.. As a Buffalo fan I have seen first hand how Boston handles speed.. And will break down opponents physically and mentally they may seem out of control but the Bruins do have a method to their madness..

By: mgp1219

mgp1219 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:53:07 +0000

when dennis wideman is your shut down defenseman, you’ve got big problems. B’s in 5.

By: bmorethansteel

bmorethansteel — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:27:14 +0000

Caps own the reg season series 3-1. Washington is not scared of the Bs and play them very well. You can have your 2nd forth line. I’ll take a healthy Backstrom and Green and Holtby is on fire! Did you see his play against the NYR last night? Sick!!!

By: banshee950

banshee950 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:56:29 +0000

I was hoping for the Sens too, Caps are a wildcard, its too hard to know what to expect from them, if Ovi lights up…Backstrom back, somewhat unknown goalie, it will be interesting. As a superstitious B’s fan I’m nervous about the bad juju from Caps series past. looking forward to a great series and I go with B’s in 6. so long as they can keep THIER F%&KING TOES OUT OF THE CREASE!!!!!!!!

By: pastabelly

pastabelly — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:50:54 +0000

The Bruins are a better all around team and know how to play playoff style hockey better. 5 or 6 games.

By: govtminion

govtminion — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:55:32 +0000

The Caps have Backstrom again, and that’s huge for them. Of course, it’s the tandem from the Hershey Bears in net, and that’s not good news- Brayden Holtby has an NHL career ahead of him, but he’s let in some bad goals at times. This is not a good time for training-day. (Hunter’s schtick that Neuvirth’s injury is ‘not bad’… did he see the injury?)

I think the Caps can steal a game, two if they really pour on the attack and surprise the Bruins, but in the end it’s just not enough. Caps put up a good fight in a five-game series before Boston moves on.

By: jond86

jond86 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:37:29 +0000

Goaltending will ruin the Caps. Bruins in 6

By: jond86

jond86 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:36:00 +0000

Two fourth lines that score, kill penalties, get pucks in deep, wear down defense, and help win games.

By: dcfan4life

dcfan4life — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 08:43:58 +0000

The Capitals have all the pieces back healthy and it showed with a strong end to the season. Then there best goaltender goes down, and there still not sure when Neuvirth will return. Id be shocked if this doesnt go at least 6. I like the Capitals in 7. This could be the best first round series in the entire playoffs.

By: hairpie

hairpie — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:05:23 +0000

There are no “defending champs” in seasonal team sports. Every season starts 0-0.

By: bethgoesglobal

bethgoesglobal — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:36:55 +0000

Well, plenty of DC-Metro area fans would laugh (most Americans probably wouldn’t get it at all)

By: bethgoesglobal

bethgoesglobal — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:27:50 +0000

I love this match up! It’ll be tough, gritty, and relentless. Hope the Caps can get under the Bruins skin and cause their more volatile players take a lot of stupid penalties. Maybe some political debate will get Thomas distracted and desperate to get to his Facebook page.
Maybe Caps fans should throw democratic “asses”/donkeys at Thomas whenever the Caps score. If nothing else I think plenty of Americans would get a good laugh at it!

By: movinonyoleft

movinonyoleft — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:50:26 +0000

If it’s anything like their meetings during the season then it will hopefully be Caps in 6!

By: mrpickled

mrpickled — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:48:20 +0000

THIMBLECANS!

By: scalfor3

scalfor3 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:15:00 +0000

Bs are the better team but the caps will give them problems. i wouldn’t be surprised if this goes 7

By: steviep23

steviep23 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:58:25 +0000

I like the caps in the underdog role for once.

By: bobhpine

bobhpine — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:38:42 +0000

The bruins have two fourth lines

By: bruins2011

bruins2011 — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:22:59 +0000

I think the bruins are definitely the better team but I was really hoping they would play Ottawa. The physical long game will hurt them against Washington since Washington is recovering from so many issues time is their friend. plus if their goal really is day to day the bruins will need to come out quick and win.

By: mikeincmn

mikeincmn — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:52:30 +0000

Ill go with Boston and while I don’t expect them to just roll the Caps, I just think capitals have too big of a question in net to be taken all that seriously. Ill say Boston in 5.

By: joshuakorr

joshuakorr — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:50:56 +0000

Bruins are a much more solid and stable team. Caps will do well if they get this to game 7.