The Stanley Cup Playoffs are upon us, and before they go too far into it, I wanted to bring my friend and self-proclaimed hockey nut Drew Hallman back into the fold at Dropping the Gloves. So I asked him a few questions on the Capitals current standing in the playoffs, their opponent, the New York Rangers, as well as some more general questions about the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs. Please note that due to some time contraints on my part (I am meeting friends for dinner and really need to study) there were no follow up questions, but I promise in the next session, I will try to provide you with some of those. Hope you enjoy.
Tim Horsey: Ok Drew, give me your evaluation of the Caps through the first 3 games of the playoffs.
Drew Hallman: Through the first three games of the playoffs, the Caps look about 87.56789% on their game. The Caps for the most part have stuck to their game plan, and it has worked. The times when they haven't, like taking all those penalties in Game 3, it hasn't. DC has seen the return of much needed defensemen Mike Green, much needed power play goals by veterans Jason Arnott and Mike Knuble, solid goaltending, including one shutout, by rookie Michal Neuvirth, and hopefully will soon see their favorite hockey team on the way to the second round of the playoffs.
TH: What have you thought of Michal Neuvirth’s performance in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs?
DH: For the first time in three years, the game of musical chairs involving the Caps' goaltenders is up…well, maybe. Coming into the series with no previous NHL playoff experience while facing a seasoned NHL goalie and gold medal winner, Neuvy has played well so far in the series, giving up only four goals in three games, posting a 1.00 save percentage while the Caps have the lead or are trailing, and shutting out the Rangers in Game 2. However, Neuvy allowed 3 goals in Game 3, the final goal being a lucky deflection, and did not appear to leave the net as much to challenge the Rangers.
TH: If you had to pick one facet of the Capitals’ game that was most crucial to success this postseason, what would it be and why?
DH: The Caps' main key to success is sticking to the game plan. The Caps trailed in both Games 1 and 3 but were able to come back three of the four times that the Rangers took the lead by staying calm and sticking to the plan that they had established early in the game.
TH: I know this is a little late, but for the rest of the series, who (or what unit) on the Rangers is the biggest threat to the Capitals?
DH: If asked this question before the series, the answer would be Henrik Lundqvist. However, with a GAA of 1.84, giving the Rangers any edge in the series scares me more than "King Henrik". The Caps cannot lose Game 4, giving the Rangers the edge of tying up the series. The Caps must win Game 4 so they continue to have the edge in the series making it so they can wrap it up completely on Saturday in Chinatown.
TH: Okay let’s get a little more general. In your opinion, what is the most intriguing matchup in the first round (other than Caps v. Rangers)?
DH: The most intriguing matchup in the first round other than the Caps and Rangers is the Canucks and Blackhawks. For the past two seasons the Blackhawks have ruined the Canucks dreams of hoisting the cup in June. However, now after coming off of a Stanley Cup Championship and unfortunately then having to dump a good amount of players afterwards due to the salary cap, Chicago is being embarrassed on a national level by the team that they've tormented for two years and could very well be swept tonight on home ice in Chicago.
TH: What one player is most key to his team’s success and why (other than players on the Capitals)?
DH: Ned Braden is definitely the most key to his team's success. Without his striptease at center ice, there’s no way the Chiefs would have won the Federal League Championship. Tim Thomas might not be another bad answer, though. If he can't put up the amazing numbers he did in the regular season it looks like Montreal might have another upset and Boston has another playoff collapse for the second year in a row.
TH: I had to keep the Slapshot references in that answer because that movie is such a classic. Finally, give me your final four teams, your final two, and your eventual Stanley Cup champion.
DH: Final Four: Canucks vs Detroit and Capitals vs Penguins
Final Two: Detroit vs Capitals (Detroit's veteran playoff experience outdoes Vancouver and Crosby comes back just in time to face the Caps but Erskine crushes him into the boards behind the net ending his career)
Stanley Cup Champion: Washington Capitals (1998 the way it should have ended)
Thanks again to Drew Hallman for his insight. Hopefully he's right and the Caps will bring the Cup to the Phone Booth in June.
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