Didn't they find Osama wearing an Ovechkin Jersey? ....Oh come on, all in good fun. Btw, I hope those Eastern Conference "gurus" that were so quick to predict how fast the Caps and the Flyers would come out of the East aren't feeling too bad about the big 0-fer put up so far...
Of course the fact that TB could've (should've?) lost the series is just as much of an example as the others that proves the point I was trying to make about the East.
How can you honestly say that regular season play, against two teams in the same division, has no bearing on the playoffs? Caps-Bolts is a huge rivalry amongst SouthEast Division teams and many of their regular season games have an ALMOST playoff-like atmosphere (especially this year when they were jostling for first place in February). The more important thing, however, is though I could argue how I think you claim that Washington is "more talented at every position and spot on the roster" is false (St. Louis, Stamkos, Lecavalier, Gagne might have something to say about that, including the obvious advantage with Rolosonhe...I'll cede you the defense core) , the claim is completely thrown out the window in playoff hockey. Time and time again the "more talented" team falters. Furthermore, Washington's roster is littered with guys that've failed in the postseason while TB's roster is rife with guys that have thrived in the posteason (admittedly, also rife with 10+ guys who have had to grow up in this first playoff series in the league, which might explain the 7 games instead of 5 that you suggest and I agree with.)
Not trying to be argumentative, but the East is wide-open. While every team has a legitimate reason why they can make a run, there are glaring flaws on all 4 of teams..
How does Washington have a clear path through the East? Roloson has shut-out the Caps twice this year and the Bolts are 2-1-1 against them since the trade. The East is just as wide open as it was last year, except this year the puck bounced the way of the higher seeds in decisive games. Both Buffalo and Montreal could've (should've?) won their respective series. The Caps struggled mightily with a severely crippled and aged Rangers team who couldn't put the puck behind their own goalie (OK, well maybe they could, Game 4 and all). And the biggest indictment against the Caps is, that they are...the Caps; they wrote the SOP on self-destructing in pressure situations in the playoffs.
I'm not saying Washington won't come out of the East, but it's excessively generous to say their path out is "clear". I forgive you though, since you are probably a rampant Red Wing homer who looks down on hockey played in the Eastern Conference..
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Any comments from those that said Caps path out of the East was clear?
Didn't they find Osama wearing an Ovechkin Jersey? ....Oh come on, all in good fun. Btw, I hope those Eastern Conference "gurus" that were so quick to predict how fast the Caps and the Flyers would come out of the East aren't feeling too bad about the big 0-fer put up so far...
Thanks for that. I tried to warn you; glad you can see my angle now?
We'll agree to disagree. Look forward to that discussion.
Of course the fact that TB could've (should've?) lost the series is just as much of an example as the others that proves the point I was trying to make about the East.
How can you honestly say that regular season play, against two teams in the same division, has no bearing on the playoffs? Caps-Bolts is a huge rivalry amongst SouthEast Division teams and many of their regular season games have an ALMOST playoff-like atmosphere (especially this year when they were jostling for first place in February). The more important thing, however, is though I could argue how I think you claim that Washington is "more talented at every position and spot on the roster" is false (St. Louis, Stamkos, Lecavalier, Gagne might have something to say about that, including the obvious advantage with Rolosonhe...I'll cede you the defense core) , the claim is completely thrown out the window in playoff hockey. Time and time again the "more talented" team falters. Furthermore, Washington's roster is littered with guys that've failed in the postseason while TB's roster is rife with guys that have thrived in the posteason (admittedly, also rife with 10+ guys who have had to grow up in this first playoff series in the league, which might explain the 7 games instead of 5 that you suggest and I agree with.)
Not trying to be argumentative, but the East is wide-open. While every team has a legitimate reason why they can make a run, there are glaring flaws on all 4 of teams..
Just read that your a Pens fan. Apologies. My opinion about the East could be wrong; I'd be curious why you think Washington is the clear favorite.
How does Washington have a clear path through the East? Roloson has shut-out the Caps twice this year and the Bolts are 2-1-1 against them since the trade. The East is just as wide open as it was last year, except this year the puck bounced the way of the higher seeds in decisive games. Both Buffalo and Montreal could've (should've?) won their respective series. The Caps struggled mightily with a severely crippled and aged Rangers team who couldn't put the puck behind their own goalie (OK, well maybe they could, Game 4 and all). And the biggest indictment against the Caps is, that they are...the Caps; they wrote the SOP on self-destructing in pressure situations in the playoffs.
I'm not saying Washington won't come out of the East, but it's excessively generous to say their path out is "clear". I forgive you though, since you are probably a rampant Red Wing homer who looks down on hockey played in the Eastern Conference..