Don't put that on us haha PIT is still really good, I wouldn't give up yet. When you have the 2 best centers in the game you are always deadly. Still, as a Caps fan I hope you aren't!

And I think Caps can take CHI, Caps have always had their number. CHI is too reliant on their top 6, specifically that Kane line, to get wins. Caps are good at shutting down top guys. Hell, last playoffs we held Crosby and Malkin to 1 5v5 point and lost!

Pitt still has a chance but its been shot down dramatically. Realistically I can't see a team like MTL or NYR or BOS or even CBL beating the caps. They're just too good. ill be putting them as cup champs on my playoff pool

To jinx us

I think BOS has a great shot - at least more than people think. Great metrics and they have the scorers and team defense to keep up. Going to come down to goaltending

Too much pressure on Washington, especially with the witchhunt for Russian agents in DC.


Clearly the San Jose Sharks are going to send Thornton and Marleau a goodbye parade

BOS scares me as CAps fan because their possession is so good BUT Caps/Holtby have their number. BOS also has a pretty thing defense. It's their forwards that scare me.

Realistically, I think Boston would need Rask to stand on his head for multiple games to win a series against Washington or even a Letang-less Pens team. Anyone can get hot in the playoffs, but I'm not sure they have the team depth to win 4 series.

Even without Letang, Pens are still the 2nd best team in the east, assuming all the guys on the roster above actually are back for the playoffs. But the Caps clearly have a much better defense and goaltending. Pens would need Murray to outplay Holtby for a realistic chance to win the series. I think it's obvious the Caps should be the favorite to win the east, but upsets happen every year, so we'll see!

no, more like to win 300$

yes I agree with the statements above. Obviously pens aren't hopeless against the caps but its a much taller task now

Boston is in a good position because they will probably secure #2 or #3 in their division and therefore have a much easier ride to the finals. playing potentially Ottawa and Montreal / NYR is a much easier route then PITT with CBL and WASH. I hate this stupid playoff format

I think I'm more optimistic about PIT than mhockey91!!!

We've talked about Boston needing good goaltending and they're THE HOT TEAM right now which is certainly a big benefit to them. I'd add an element of concern. Over the long haul they're an average offensive team and everyone gets tested in a cup run. Will their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th line be able to steal a few games? Other teams will que in on Marchand and Bergeron. I think that line is the single best line in hockey, but that's the Hawks Kane/Anisimov/Panarin line last year. Having 4 solid lines is critical.