OFFICIAL GDT - Penguins vs. Capitals - R2G1 - 7:30PM EST

[Waffles]

Well, here we are again. Our beloved boys in black and gold are facing off against a familiar foe in the de facto Eastern Conference Final for the second year in a row.

This time, things are a little different. The Penguins are without Kris Letang and Matt Murray - two key parts of last season's dominant journey to the promised land. Washington has been widely regarded as the favorite across the entire league to win it all - but we've seen this fish before. Letang will never be fully replaced, but Murray has had his shoes filled by someone we've seen do this:



and this:



I personally have never seen such unanimous, unfounded predictions in favor of a team thats only legacy is choking when it matters most. We haven't seen the Penguins picked against so heavily since last year's Stanley Cup Final - and we all remember how that turned out.

MATCHUP HISTORY
- The Penguins are 8-1 all-time against Washington in the postseason.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ROSTER RUNDOWN


WASHINGTON CAPITALS ROSTER RUNDOWN


PITTSBURGH PENGUINS LINEUP


KEY POINTS FOR TONIGHT'S GAME
- Weather the storm in the first period - let Washington run themselves down like we saw Columbus do time and time again last round.
- Bottom Six - we'll need Kunitz to be effective should he play, and the bottom six players must find a way to establish and maintain puck possession.
- Win the god damn game, lads.

LET'S GO PENS

[Waffles]

I hope this gets the job done, I have a lot to do at work today and wanted to get this set up before I got too distracted.

Pens in 5.

[dodint]

Source of the post Pens in 5.

I don't have the heart for a 2OT Game 1.

[Silentom]

Phil Kessel would deliver us the obligatory wrist shot goal to end the OT.

[Waffles]

I feel a pens win in regulation, honestly.

[Blue Canary]

Nice work, Waffles!

Let's do this. Keep it simple, be defensively responsible, weather the storm, aim for a solid road game, blah, blah, blah.

Red Rawkers will be amped. Silence them.

Key players for me on Pens: Cole and Hornqvist

Key players for me on Caps: Oshie and Johansson

[Waffles]

Nice work, Waffles!

Let's do this. Keep it simple, be defensively responsible, weather the storm, aim for a solid road game, blah, blah, blah.

Key players for me on Pens: Cole and Hornqvist

Key players for me on Caps: Oshie and Johansson

Thanks!

For me the most important thing is to not get swept up in the emotions. I remember in 2007-08, when we would come out like the whole team shared an ounce of coke before puck drop and I thought that was just how playoff games are supposed to be, that it was the correct approach - to ride that wave.

I've since grown to really appreciate the sullivan approach of not getting caught up in the moment. They (usually) don't come out like banshees at the start of home games, they use use home ice to their advantage and play their game. I like it a lot.

[Staggy]

Hags is practicing this morning in a regular jersey so maybe he'll be good to go tonight? Game 2 at the latest you would think. His speed will be such a nice luxury to have on the fore/backcheck against this team.

[Waffles]

Hags is practicing this morning in a regular jersey so maybe he'll be good to go tonight? Game 2 at the latest you would think. His speed will be such a nice luxury to have on the fore/backcheck against this team.

That would be a massive shot in the arm for the team, IMO. They all seem to really like him.

[doublewinder]

Anybody going to any games in DC?

[Blue Canary]

Hags is practicing this morning in a regular jersey so maybe he'll be good to go tonight? Game 2 at the latest you would think. His speed will be such a nice luxury to have on the fore/backcheck against this team.

That would be a massive shot in the arm for the team, IMO. They all seem to really like him.

Agreed. Having been such a big part of last year's success, Hags brings a boost to an already confident team. He may not be 100% and may be rusty, but he's one more thing to which the Caps have to pay attention.

The Caps have made their personnel and strategic decisions over the past year with this series in mind. Every player knows it; every fan knows it; all the talking heads know it. This is, they believe, finally their time. While winning game 1 isn't imperative for the Pens, it would send many a Red Rawker home with [you name it] clenched.

[Blue Canary]

Nice work, Waffles!

Let's do this. Keep it simple, be defensively responsible, weather the storm, aim for a solid road game, blah, blah, blah.

Key players for me on Pens: Cole and Hornqvist

Key players for me on Caps: Oshie and Johansson

Thanks!

For me the most important thing is to not get swept up in the emotions. I remember in 2007-08, when we would come out like the whole team shared an ounce of coke before puck drop and I thought that was just how playoff games are supposed to be, that it was the correct approach - to ride that wave.

I've since grown to really appreciate the sullivan approach of not getting caught up in the moment. They (usually) don't come out like banshees at the start of home games, they use use home ice to their advantage and play their game. I like it a lot.

Sullivan's approach is indeed even-keeled, appropriate, and practical, although I can't say that it's helped me to keep my wits about me at work, let alone during the games!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[Waffles]

Hags is practicing this morning in a regular jersey so maybe he'll be good to go tonight? Game 2 at the latest you would think. His speed will be such a nice luxury to have on the fore/backcheck against this team.

That would be a massive shot in the arm for the team, IMO. They all seem to really like him.

Agreed. Having been such a big part of last year's success, Hags brings a boost to an already confident team. He may not be 100% and may be rusty, but he's one more thing to which the Caps have to pay attention.

The Caps have made their personnel and strategic decisions over the past year with this series in mind. Every player knows it; every fan knows it; all the talking heads know it. This is, they believe, finally their time. While winning game 1 isn't imperative for the Pens, it would send many a Red Rawker home with [you name it] clenched.

I don't mean to give a one-sentence reply to a really well-thought-out post, but I just wanted to say that his speed rubs off on the rest of the team in the most obvious way possible. Everyone seems to be a little faster when he's in the lineup. That "speed boost" could be enough to make the difference.

[Gaucho]

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

RRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[count2infinity]

COLE!!!

[Orlando Penguin]

RRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I wasn't sure this was a Waffles GDT without the obligatory screech.

[Waffles]

RRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I wasn't sure this was a Waffles GDT without the obligatory screech.

[Gaucho]

[Blue Canary]

I want a penguin Roomba.

Who are our R & D people here? Get on it!

[Silentom]

RRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I wasn't sure this was a Waffles GDT without the obligatory screech.

top kek

[dodint]

*yawn*

[columbia]

TIL that *yawn* is the search and replace for:

Code: Select all

*autistic screeching*

[Waffles]

*yawn*

[Gabe]

Pens play their game tonight and let Washington die on their love for in game antics. Ovie gets frustrated and starts making his illegal hits to no avail.
Our boys win 5-3.

Go Pens!