Game 2 Cap vs. Penguin Scum 5-4-2009 Preview

Series J: Washington Capitals (55-35; 108 points; 1st Southeast Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguin Scum (49-40; 99 points; 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference, 8th Overall):
Eastern Conference Semifinals Game #2, Caps Game #9, Home Game #6, NHL Game #222

Verizon Center, Washington, DC. 7:08 pm. Washington TV: None. Radio: WJFK 106.7-FM. Pittsburgh TV: None. Radio: WXDX 105.9-FM. U.S. National TV: Versus. Canadian National TV: CBC, RDS (French).

Tonight, the Caps look to keep a hold on the home ice advantage they earned during the regular season in Game 2 against the Penguin Scum. The numbers historically for Game 2 are not for the faint of heart. Where the Caps are nearly unbeatable in Game 1 of a series against the Penguin Scum, (now 7-1) Game 2 is a much different story; the Caps are just 2-5 all time in Game 2 against the Penguin Scum.


What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post: well known, faster start. Times: smart trade, role reversal, promoted, Game 2 Preview. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com: AP wire preview, full-fledged star, playing better, scoring machine, still not traded, upbeat, untested.

Open Source Intelligence:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: will improve, staying calm, staying at home. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: not worried, still cocky, stock rising, powering up, no calls.

What Do We Expect Tonight?:

We think it is fair to say that after sloppy performances by both teams on Saturday that there will be better efforts on the part of both teams tonight. We also would like to think that more calls will go the Caps way and they'll get more than just two Power Plays tonight but that's probably expecting too much. First and foremost we would like to see the Caps tighten things up defensively and yield fewer chances and shots on goal against Simeon "the Saviour" Varlamov. That will go a long way for the Caps being able to hold onto their home ice advantage before the series shifts to Pittsburgh. In case you haven't noticed, here in the second round this year, Game 1 went to the home team where in Game 2, the road team came back and evened up the series. Of course, the Caps were the only home team in Game 1 of the second round not coming off a first round sweep but the Caps have won four playoff games in a row. However, nobody expected this series to be easy and we have to think the Penguin Scum are going to come out with a better effort tonight. Nobody wants to go down 2-0 in series under any circumstances so we expect a little desperation in the Penguin Scum's game tonight as well. The Caps are going to have to match that in order to be successful.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 4
Penguin Scum 2
Winner by Laich

(2-6 in the playoffs)