East Semis: #1 Washington vs #5 Tampa Bay

[Thrillhouse]

Records:
Washington: 48-22-11 (107 pts) Home: 25-8-8 Away: 23-14-3
Tampa Bay: 45-25-11 (101 pts) Home: 25-11-5 Away: 20-14-6

How They Got Here:
Washington defeated the Rangers in 5 games.
Tampa Bay won three straight to beat Pittsburgh in 7.

Head-To-Head:
Nov 11 - WAS 6 TB 3
Nov 26 - WAS 6 TB 0
Jan 4 - WAS 0 TB 1 (OT)
Jan 12 - WAS 0 TB 3
Feb 4 - WAS 5 TB 2
Mar 7 - WAS 2 TB 1 (SO)
Washington won the season series 4-2.

Fighting:
Nov 11 - Adam Hall vs Matt Bradley
Nov 26 - Ryan Malone vs John Erskine
Jan 4 - Steve Downie vs Matt Hendricks
Feb 4 - Steve Downie vs Matt Hendricks
Feb 4 - Adam Hall vs Matt Bradley

Line-Up:
Goaltending: EDGE Tampa Bay
Scoring: EDGE Tampa Bay
Defense: EDGE Washington
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: DRAW

Schedule:
Friday, April 29 at Washington, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Sunday, May 1 at Washington, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC
Tuesday, May 3 at Tampa Bay, TBD VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, May 4 at Tampa Bay, 7:00 p.m. TSN
*Saturday, May 7 at Washington, 12:30 p.m. NBC, TSN
*Monday, May 9 at Tampa Bay, TBD VERSUS, TSN
*Wednesday, May 11 at Washington, TBD VERSUS, TSN

Prediction:
The last matchup to be decided in round 2 and we have our first divisional rivals. The new-look Caps had a nice first round. They didn't let the Rangers drag the series out so Washington is well-rested and healthy. Tampa Bay will not have the luxury of a decent rest, but after going 3-0 in elimination games, they are definitely battle-ready. This year's Caps team is built for a long run, I like Washington in 6.

[Thrillhouse]

YouTube - Adam Hall vs Matt Bradley Nov...

YouTube - Ryan Malone vs John Erskine Nov...

YouTube - Steve Downie vs Matt Hendricks...

YouTube - Matt Hendricks vs Steve Downie...

YouTube - Matt Bradley vs Adam Hall Feb 4,...

[Smerri1029]

I don't see Tampa surviving this one. Washington in 5.

[D Y B FLYERS]

^ agreed. I say Caps in 5. I can't see Tampa giving the Caps many problems.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

I don't see the edge in goal or in scoring for Tampa.

Capitals in 5.

[thepolishkid88]

Roloson has been unreal the past 3 games and comes in here hot. He held the Pens (all be it depleted) to 4 goals over the past 3 games. That offense is hot as well.

Goaltending is an edge to Tampa, defense is a draw at best, and offense is a draw too. Stamkos is waiting to break loose.

Bolts in 7.

[ghjkfdhgfd]

Im thinking caps, but hey, TB has some serious depth this season backing up the firepower up front. Im optimistic fight wise.

[CapsFan99]

it should be a easy win for the Caps,

Washington with the Sweep in 4 games.

Roloson is the only hurdle i see, but with enough pressure even the best of the best goalies leave holes, and ovechkin will be there to capitalize on them.

[canuckfan]

Interesting series, but my prediction is going to mirror the season series - Washington in 6.

The defense is improved, they're rested, but Tampa is going to be a bigger handful for them than the Rangers were - Roloson will steal a couple early on, but I think the Caps are due and ready for a run to the semi's at least...

[CubsJunkie]

I'm going to go with Tampa Bay with really no logical reason. Bolts in seven.

[Captain Crunch28]

Everyone is counting out the Lightning. They have enough skill to win this series.

Taking Caps in 7

[BondraDaBomb]

Line-Up:Goaltending: EDGE Tampa Bay
Scoring: EDGE Tampa Bay
Defense: EDGE Washington
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: DRAW

I see it a little bit differently. I would go

Line-Up:
Goaltending: DRAW
Scoring: EDGE Tampa Bay
Defense: DRAW
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: EDGE Washington

With grit determining the series. Caps in 6.

[Flyers967]

Washington in 6 games.

[Juha82]

When the season is going to the end sooner or later as i think the all series are even ones.
Tamba have a very good offense, ok defense and nice goalie but so is Caps goalie nice one and offense too but Tambas offense is slightly better though than Caps's one.
Caps's defense and Tambas defense is as good as.
Caps have to succees well in the offense as i mean mostly guys like Semin, Ovy, Bäckström etch, they are key-players.
On the other hand Bradley, Hendricks and Chimera are the key-players with their defensive role.
I say Caps win this serie in 7 game.

[Juha82]

Ooops sorry, i mean Tamba Bay Lightning win this serie in 7 game.
Tamba have better offense, hot goalie right now and a nice defense.
Coaching is draw.
Caps defense is good, there is guys like Schultz, Erskine and Hannan who are defensive defensemen.
Green and Carlson are offensive defensemen and i add Wideman third guy but Wideman hasnt played in the playoffs as i think hes injured.