Sports of the Nation's Capital and the Czech Republic

The Rangers eliminated the frightening Ottawa Senators this evening to eliminate Canada from the playoffs and set up the Caps second round series. New York Rangers versus Washington Capitals. Now forgive me if I’m incorrect, but haven’t we seen this already? And haven’t the Caps ended the Rangers season two out of the last three years (excluding this year)?

Are we still louder?

Does MSG still suck?

Will Jason take Manhattan again?

Will Sasha continue to be the man?

Braden Holtby. We have no questions.

Will Ovi produce?

All of these questions and more will be answered in a matter of days.

Note:

-Expect all of the “experts” to pick the Rangers over the Caps, however, didn’t they pick the Bruins over the Caps also? In fact, the Caps were projected to be swept. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=627310 Weird.

-This will most likely be a tough series. The Poke Czech official simulation will be up soon.

“We’re ready to be beaten. We’ve accepted it,” Ryan Callahan of the Rangers said, “We just can’t beat the Caps and we need to make peace with that.” Ryan Callahan is getting ahead of himself. This will be a tough series, no matter what he thinks, and there’s no clear winner – in fact, you might say the Caps are “the underdogs.” http://www.nhl.com/ice/series.htm?season=20112012&series=b (the last time the Caps were called the underdogs, they did this).

-Poke Czech

Alexander Semin celebrates doing something that pissed off the Rangers.

I know what you’re thinking: this is the best theory ever. Despite being the favorites to win the series on Wednesday, the Caps have a huge challenge at hand: preventing the Bruins from being repeat Stanley Cup Champions.

Here’s my logic: everyone besides the LA Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers suck.

The way Round 1 has gone, Round 2 is looking like this:

-If the Caps win on Wednesday:

-Round 2-

#3 Florida versus #8 Ottawa

#5 Philadelphia versus #7 Washington

Having common sense, I know that Florida will not advance past this round. While Philly is tough, their goaltending humongously sucks and their defense is subpar.

Which leaves the Eastern Conference Final as this:

-Round 3-

#7 Washington hosting #8 Ottawa.

Playing two tough series against Boston and Philly earns the Caps a fairly easy Eastern Conference Final matchup.

Obviously, the Caps will win. The Caps will make the Stanley Cup finals IF they beat Boston.

-If the Caps lose on Wednesday:

-Round 2-

#2 Boston versus #8 Ottawa

#3 Florida versus #5 Philadelphia

Obviously Boston and Philly are moving on here, because Ottawa and Florida suck. I mean, they REALLYYYYYY suck.

-Round 3-

#2 Boston versus #5 Philadelphia

Boston is moving on here, let’s be honest. Claude Giroux can only play good for so long before he crumbles.

Oh, and Ilya Bryzgalov will choke. He’ll ALMOST blow the series against Florida, but Florida will choke in Game 7 blowing a 2-0 lead in the third period. Regardless, Ilya will never recover, and he’ll continue to choke against Boston, having Boston win in 6 games.

So, as you can see here, whoever wins on Wednesday will be the Eastern Conference Champion.

And who should we be concerned about on the West Coast?

Nashville, LA or Phoenix. St. Louis earns no respect, and rightfully so. Personally, I see Nashville moving on to the Stanley Cup, but LA or Phoenix will probably beat up on them first, significantly weakening them.

In this scenario, Boston or Washington will beat Nashville for the Stanley Cup.

Zdeno Chara or Alex Ovechkin will hoist the Stanley Cup this season.

“Yeah, if I can’t win it, I really fucking want the Caps to win it. They are a great team. I kinda feel bad we tried to hit Backstrom’s head, but fuck it, it’s the playoffs,” Zdeno Chara said after the Bruins Game 6 win in Washington.

Some Bruins player attempts to play footsie with Marcus Johansson.

Enjoy.

-Poke Czech

We simulated the first round series between Boston and Washington. Here’s what we came up with:

Scenario 1:

-Neuvirth in net.

-Caps win the first 3 games.

-Lose the 4th game.

-Win the 5th game in OT thanks to a goal from Nicklas Backstrom.

-Ovechkin has 6 goals in the series.

-Johansson has 6 assists.

-Laich has 2 goals.

-Neuvirth finishes the series with a 2.16 GAA and a .908 save %.

Scenario 2:

-Holtby in net.

-Caps get off to a great start — two shutouts in a row to start the series.

-Caps win the 3rd game – 4-2.

-Then the Caps blow the 3-0 series lead.

-Then they lose in Game 7 – 4-1.

-Holtby has a 2.57 GAA and a .915 save %. However, he gives up 4+ goals in at least 3 games.

-Semin steps up and has 4 goals.

-Ovechkin has 1.

-Laich has 3.

-Bruins re-injure Mike Green.

What to Take From This:

-Considering Holtby is underrated on NHL 12, it’s a toss up of who could win that series if it goes to a Game 7 (Scenario 2).

-The Caps’ success depends on Ovechkin scoring. If he scores a lot, theres a high chance we win the series.

-Semin stepping up and scoring could be huge as well. We need Good Sasha.

-We also need Laich to stay consistent and have 2 or 3 goals in the series.

-NHL 12 thinks Braden Holtby will choke under the pressure if he’s playing — and well, we can’t really disprove that yet, considering he hasn’t really played any playoff series.

-Johansson and Backstrom both need to be dominant forces making plays.

"I might play. I think. I don't know. It's not up to me."

“I’m ready to make Thomas look like a clown,” says Holtby, ” I’m the best fucking goalie on this roster.” Don’t get ahead of yourself, Holts.

See you at the STD Garden on Thursday. Preview for Game 1 to come.

-Poke Czech