![Image](http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Hockey/World/2016/05/11/ovech650.jpg)
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
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/0S545YT.png)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS ROSTER RUNDOWN
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/kzFnQD7.png)
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS LINEUP
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-dHWzPW0AQGR_3.jpg)
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