Game 1 Caps vs. Penguin Scum 5-2-2009

Series J: Washington Capitals (54-35; 108 points; 1st Southeast Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguin Scum (49-39; 99 points; 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference, 8th Overall):
Eastern Conference Semifinals Game #1, Caps Game #8, Home Game #5, NHL Game #221

Verizon Center, Washington, DC. 1:20 pm. Washington TV: None. Radio: WJFK 106.7-FM. Pittsburgh TV: None. Radio: WXDX 105.9-FM. U.S. National TV: NBC. Canadian National TV: CBC, RDS (French).

Today the biggest Professional Playoff Hockey Series in the history of the world starts in the Capital City of the United States when the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguin Scum. Those holding onto dreams of a Penguin Scum sweep would be well advised to learn that in the previous seven series between the two teams, the Caps have a 6-1 record against the Penguin Scum in Game 1 of a playoff series. The lone Penguin Scum win came in 2000's "Burn the Floor" Fiasco Series.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post: fighting from Day 1, new history, real test. Times: Ghosts of Playoffs Past, made his mark, same paths. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com: AP Wire Preview, hyped up, staying focused, snake pit, next game, along for the ride, Russian Flavor, turncoat, revitalized, figured it out. TSN: gift for A.O., establishing credentials. ESPN.com.

Open Source Intelligence:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Power up, interesting series, scouting report, denied. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: hidden talent, attention getter, still learning, reliving past glory, renewal, notes.

What Do We Expect Today?:

Well, the recipe for success today against the Penguin Scum is going to be much the same as it was against the Rangers. The Caps would be well served to get out to an early lead on Marc-Andre Fleury. However, the Caps are going to have to play the full sixty (or more) minutes in this game because the Penguin Scum have enough offensive firepower to overcome any deficit that they face. So we don't expect the Caps to sit back and try to absorb and counter punch once they get out to a lead. The crowd at the Phone Booth will be a factor all day too because against the Rangers, they were never taken out of the game and if you think we didn't like the Rangers, well it should be obvious that we just hate Pittsburgh. The days of 50-50 or worse crowds are over though that isn't to say that no Penguin Scum fans will find their way in. There just won't be nearly as many of them as in seasons past. The Caps should also have an easier time getting their Power Play going today as Pittsburgh's Penalty Killers aren't nearly as good as New York's. Finally, the normal "feeling out process" that typically marks the first ten minutes of a Game 1 is very likely not going to happen. Players on both sides know what they're up against and have gone right after each other in the regular season contests of late. The key though today is not trying to win this series in one game. It doesn't and won't be happening in this series.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 4
Penguin Scum 2
Winner by Laich

(1-6 in the playoffs, good thing we don't place actual bets on these things because right now we couldn't pick cotton right...)