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NHL playoffs 2018: Capitals vs. Penguins preview and prediction

By Thomas Brandwood

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 02: Pittsburgh Penguins Left Wing Jake Guentzel (59) attempts to deflects the puck past Washington Capitals Goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals on February 2, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 02: Pittsburgh Penguins Left Wing Jake Guentzel (59) attempts to deflects the puck past Washington Capitals Goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals on February 2, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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For the third straight year, two of the NHL’s biggest offensive powerhouses meet in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Its the Washington Capitals vs the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin. An instant classic.

Both teams are coming off six game series against there respective opponents. The Washington Capitals began the postseason down 0-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but found their game and won four straight to knock out the Blue Jackets.

The Pittsburgh Penguins began the playoffs with a 7-0 statement game against the Philadelphia Flyers. After a back-and-forth series, the Penguins eventually knocked out there cross-state rivals in six games.

Through the first round of the playoffs, Washington’s offense was propelled on the back end by John Carlson. The offensive defender led all defensemen in points in the regular season, and continues to do so in the playoffs, with nine. Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals offense, putting up eight points through the first round of the playoffs. After dropping the first two games at home in the first round with backup Philip Grubauer in net, a key goalie change led to a series win. Capitals starting goalie Braden Holtby regained the starting job in Game 3 and never looked back. He posted a .932 save percentage and 1.92 goals against average with a perfect 4-0 record.

Pittsburgh’s offense was led by the usual likely suspects. Captain Sidney Crosby and proven playoff stud Jake Guentzel, who are line-mates on the Penguins top line, lead the league in points through the playoff thus far. The pair has 13 points, each with six goals and seven assists. Patric Hornquivst and defender Brian Dumoulin each have six points in the playoffs, while goaltender Matt Murray played well through the first round also. Murray is tied for the lead in playoff shutouts with two, and is sporting a 2.20 goals against average with a .911 save percentage.

In the regular season, the Metropolitan division rivals met four times, and split the season series at two games a piece. For the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin racked up five points in the season series, while both Grubauer and Holtby each picked up a win. For the Penguins; Murray picked up both wins, while Malkin led the offensive charge by posting six points in the four games.

Key injuries for each team as the second round begins include Carl Hagelin and Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins, who will not be playing in game 1. Malkin will be traveling with the team, while Hagelin will stay in Pittsburgh. Each is listed as day to day. Andre Burakovsky is currently listed as week to week, and the only injured Capital heading into the second round.

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Dating back all time, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have met 10 times in the post season. The Capitals have not made it out of the second round of the playoffs in the Alex Ovechkin era. Every time during the era that they have clashed with the Penguins in the second round, the Penguins have won the series and gone on to win the Cup.

In what will be a fantastic series, history will have a funny way of repeating itself. Although the teams are nearly dead even in all positions, the depth of the Pittsburgh Penguins is what separates them. Washington does not have an answer for three scoring lines.

For as long as Sidney Crosby wears a Penguins sweater, the Capitals will be in too deep against Pittsburgh in the playoffs.

Prediction: Penguins in 7

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