Capitals First Round Preview & Picks

Ball Hogs Radio | April 12, 2011 | 0 Comments

The best playoffs in professional sports are here. The NHL Playoffs. They are the most unpredictable playoffs out of all the major sports because literally any team can win. Everything is based on match ups, not regular season records. Also, the atmosphere in the stadiums are the best out of all sports due to the passion of the fans, and the players.

The Capitals will be playing the New York Rangers for the 2nd time in 3 years, and this is turning into a heated rivalry. The last time they playing in 2009, the Rangers took at 3-1 series lead before the Capitals took three straight, finishing with a screaming wrist shot by Segrei Federov with 5 minutes remaining. As someone who was at the game, I can tell you it was the loudest I have ever heard a stadium during a game (that includes a 93,000 Redskins Cowboys game).

As far as this series is concerned, I have to go with the Capitals to win this series in no more than six games.

I don’t see the Rangers being able to pull a Montreal, and this is why:

The last 3 years they were in the first round, the Caps were inexperienced, playing the wrong style of playoff hockey, and were underestimating their opponents because of seeding. The Capitals respect the Rangers, and know they have to show up the second the puck drops Wednesday at 7:30.

Another point to mention is that these Capitals are angry. They have matured and are a much more disciplined team. They know what happened to them last year, and have literally been conducting tests during the regular season solely designed for the playoffs. They know that if they don’t win, major changes will be made to the team.

Alot of people like to point out that the Rangers were 3-0-1 vs. the Caps this year, with 2 wins with a combined score of 13-0. That’s great and all, but a few things have happened since. The Rangers have not played the Capitals since the trade deadline, and the Rangers lost Ryan Callahan for the year. Also add to the fact that the Capitals ended the year strong, and the Rangers almost lost their way out of the playoffs.

Also, Jason Arnott has helped add some secondary scoring to the team, which they were lacking against the Canadians last year. Look for Alexander Semin to get 2-4 playoff goals during this series and shut up the haters.

All in all, there are so many factors that favor the Capitals. The ONLY thing that can give the Rangers a chance is if Henrik Lundqvist literally becomes a brick wall during this series. Look for him to steal a game or two from the Capitals; but 4 games? No chance.

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