Game 2 Caps vs. Flyers 4-13-2008 Preview

Series C: Washington Capitals (44-41; 94 points; 1st Southeast Division, 3rd Eastern Conference, 12th Overall) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (42-43; 95 points; 4th Atlantic Division, 6th Eastern Conference, 11th Overall):
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game #2, Caps Game #2, Home Game #2, NHL Game #132

Verizon Center, Washington D.C., 2:08 pm. Washington TV: None. Radio: WJFK 106.7-FM. Philadelphia TV: None. Radio: WWIP 610-AM. U.S. National TV: NBC. Canadian National TV: TSN, RIS (French). NHL Center Ice: None.

Today the Caps look to open up a 2-0 lead in the Series with the Flyers after Friday night's thrilling come from behind win win.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times: nervous energy, prophecy fulfilled, possible return. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire. NHL.com Series Page. TSN.ca Series Page. ESPN NHL Playoffs page. AP article.

Open Source Intelligence:

Philadelphia Inquirer: pick your poison, execute better.

What Do I Expect Today?:

Now that the nerves are out of the way and the Caps are all now savvy playoff vets (Jeff "Sergeant" Schultz excluded) will we finally see the series everybody has been expecting to see? Well, maybe not so much because the Caps are still in uncharted territory. It is good to see that they outwardly recognize that they haven't won anything yet despite the fans carrying on like it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Friday night. You also have to expect the referees to call another close game today in order to keep things in check. What everybody missed was the slashing penalty called 1:14 into Game 1. The Refs did a good job of clamping down on the game without restricting the flow of the game, though the players deserve a fair amount credit themselves for playing a hard hitting but clean game. The NHL Front Office wants this series as a showcase for A.O. and will cringe if it turns into a scene from Slap Shot so the referees are on notice. Both teams are complaining about not playing a full 60 minutes on Friday and the pressure is already being turned up on Martin Biron after one loss. The first goal today is going to be huge again because should the Flyers get another lead, they are going to do everything they can to prevent a repeat of Friday night. If the Caps get out to the lead again, the Flyers are really going to tighten up and could start to panic.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 4
Flyers 2
Winner by Bradley