Pens/Caps - Around the Traps...

(( Analysis and Predictions ))

According to ESPN.com...

"The Penguins have been here before and showed terrific push-back against Philadelphia. Goaltending favors the Pens, or it should, and that'll be just enough. Pittsburgh in seven." - Burnside

"Its what I've been waiting for all year long....The two best players in the game finally meet in playoffs...I like the Capitals in 6. - Barry Melrose

According to SI.com,

The Caps' success or failure also may ride on rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov, a 21-year-old who started only five games during the season before replacing Jose Theodore two games into the Ranger series. Varlamov responded by going 4-2 with a 1.17 goals-against average...However, shutting down the Rangers, who scored the third-fewest goals during the season, is much different from controlling the Penguins and two of the league's top three scorers...."Young goaltenders, they can ride that youth, that energy and have big games and big saves," Bylsma said. "We're going to do our best to try to give him some different looks, some second chances, some pucks that are east-west around the net and see if we can't break him down."

From Yahoo! Sports.com...

As for Crosby vs. Ovechkin ... well, Mario never played Gretzky in the playoffs, so adjust your hype accordingly. This is history, folks. Hockey gods, we summon thee and ask that you don't make this series stink. Unofficial Non-Binding Preliminary Pick: Penguins.

From XM Satellite HomeIce...

Joe Thistel of The Point and NHL Home Ice Program Director

DETROIT IN 6
CHICAGO IN 6
CAROLINA IN 6
WASHINGTON IN 7

Scott Laughlin of Hockey This Morning

Detroit in 7
Vancouver in 6
Pittsburgh in 6
Boston in 6

Shawn Lavigne of Hockey This Morning

Anaheim in 6
Chicago in 6
Boston in 7
Pittsburgh in 5

Dan Blakeley of The War Room

Boston in 6
Pittsburgh in 6
Anaheim in 7
Chicago in 6

Mick Kern of The War Room

Boston in 7
Pittsburgh in 7
Detroit in 7
Chicago in 6

Peter Berce of Ice Cap

DETROIT in 7
VANCOUVER in 7
BOSTON in 6
PITTSBURGH in 6

Eric Gage of Ice Cap

Carolina in 7
Washington in 6
Detroit in 6
Vancouver in 6

Posted in: Captials,Penguins