Series Thread: First Round: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals

[forty_three]

I'm hearing Fo-leen-no will be ready for game 1 - That's a big boost for CBJ.

Nutivaara skated and participated in full contact practice today too.

Torts has already announced that Milano is sitting.

 

[thedddd]

Lets go Caps...without them the Penguins can't win another!

 

[elocomotive]

Lets go Caps...without them the Penguins can't win another!

Exactly....

Go BJ's...send the Cap's packing earlier than facing the Pens in the second round!

 

[forty_three]

Caps win if:
- They can get Special Teams time, and make the Jackets take stupid penalties
- They choose correctly in goal and whoever they choose stands up
- They can put doubt in Bob's head, and scare the rookies
- They can keep the Jackets spread out and take away Panarin's time
- They counterpunch fast when the opportunity arises. This is the Jackets' Achilles heel. The 58 minute game.

Jackets win if:
- They make the Caps fans turn on their team, or make the players fear "here we go again". And if they can get to the goalie
- They keep it 5 on 5
- Regular season Bob shows up
- They keep the puck off OV's stick
- They play balanced and disciplined

Basically it comes down to who can control the play to their style. Whoever gets the momentum and holds it wins it. It is a lot closer than it appears, and it's pretty much a coin flip out of the gate. That could change drastically after game one.

 

[raptorlife4]

Caps in 6

 

[elocomotive]

It is nice for a change to play a team whose playoff history makes the Caps look like a dominant franchise.

We've never lifted the Cup, but have some legit accomplishments. The Columbus rafters be looking like...

 

[dash]

 

[ritari330]

Boyd (Illness) and Beagle (Upper Body) didn't participate. Beagle skated on his own. Expect one or the other to bump Chaisson out and move Stephenson to the wing for game 1.

 

[forty_three]

- Torts philosophy

Boyd (Illness) and Beagle (Upper Body) didn't participate. Beagle skated on his own. Expect one or the other to bump Chaisson out and move Stephenson to the wing for game 1.

Can we get you to, like, remove Oshie for a game? I will pay you!

 

[ritari330]

This is the right decision.

 

[dash]

This is the right decision.

 

[forty_three]

This is the right decision.

I sure hope not.

But good on Trotz on not letting it hang out there. Decisive. Dammit.


Jackets just confirmed Nutivaara will be back for game 1. Provided all the D can stay healthy, we have probably seen Jack Johnson's last game in a CBJ Jersey.

 

[elocomotive]

Boyd (Illness) and Beagle (Upper Body) didn't participate. Beagle skated on his own. Expect one or the other to bump Chaisson out and move Stephenson to the wing for game 1.

Grrrrrrrrrsich. That's how I feel about that.

I don't expect we'll see much of the 4th line in game 1.

 

[elocomotive]

This is the right decision.

Excellent call. His last half of the season was very worthy of being the starter. It's kind of a no brainer.

Per the advanced stats, this series may feature the two best goalies in the league at this moment:

 

[elocomotive]

Unlikely Series' Heroes!

Who ya got? Make a prediction (you pussies, RIP Bossman).


I'll go with Jakub Vrana having 3 goals and an important game winner in the series. He had a good stretch with lots of scoring chances in mid- to late-March, but couldn't get a little lucky to put more in the cage. Law of due!

 

[dash]

I'll go with Bjorkstrand, kid has a knack for scoring game winning (and series winning) goals.

 

[elocomotive]

I'll go with Bjorkstrand, kid has a knack for scoring game winning (and series winning) goals.

Incorrect.

 

[dash]

Insolent.

I resemble that remark

 

[elocomotive]

I resemble that remark

 

[forty_three]

I'll go with Bjorkstrand, kid has a knack for scoring game winning (and series winning) goals.

I like the cut of your jib.

Game 4 OT Series winner.

Game 3 OT winner for good measure: