Capitals

[BASON]

Great game by the Caps especially without their best player (Backstrom). They were the best team in this series and deserved the win. Not the same Pitt team as the last two years but either was the Caps. Huge weight off the Caps shoulders, I expect them to play very loose and well against Tampa. Holtby is a hot as any goalie right now, so I think they will be hard to beat.

No more series bets, will play game by game going forward.

 

[Penguinfan]

Just a thought for your wagering interest and putting fandom aside. Columbus was not a good team this year, the Pens were not a good team this year and both took the Caps to 6 games. Caps are playing with house money at this point, sure, but Tampa is pretty good.

This will be the toughest test for the Caps who, IMO, struggled to get past Columbus and needed a great performance by Holtby to get past the weakest Pens team we've seen in years.

Careful letting emotion get the best of you.

Good luck either way.

 

[BASON]

I agree. I thought Tampa was the best team in the East from the start. However, I do like the momentum the Caps have as well as having Holtby. He was spectacular against Pittsburgh. I think the Caps strategy will be to play like they played in game 6 against the Pens. Play strong in front of the net, limit penalties, be solid defensively and take advantage of defensive breakdowns when they can. They do not want to get into a track meet with the Lightning.

Backstrom has to be back for them to win also. His line has to produce points for them to be able to win as the Lightning will focus on shutting down Ovechkin. My guess is whoever's 3rd and 4th lines produces the most wins the series.

Momentum and great goaltending is always a key in the playoffs. Both teams are riding high and I expect a great series that may be more defensive than people think. Both teams will want to stay out of the penalty box.

That said, I do not think the Lightning should be -190 for the Series. I am not betting the Series, but this price looks very steep to me and I would not touch it at that price.

I have been around long enough that I rarely bet with emotion anymore. Sure, I get pissed off as much as the next guy, but as you age, it wears off a lot faster. Most of my emotion is spent on the leagues/brass trying to change the game, the poor state of officiating and replay. I know I can be very opinionated and I have no issues with healthy arguments as long as they do not get personal.

I am excited to enjoy some great playoff hockey as I get ready for the World Cup!!

 

[BASON]

No one seems to be giving the Caps much of a chance to win this series. I think it is much closer than people think. However, I think Game 1 will be tough for them with Backstrom likely out (at this time they still saying game time decision) so I am playing Tampa in regulation -115.

 

[BASON]

Should have stuck with my gut as I knew the Caps would be ready to play, but I also thought Tampa would at least show up. They were dominated. Caps played exactly as they played against the Pens in game 6 and I expect this to continue. I give Trotz a lot of credit for how he is handling this team.

Like the Ov 5.5 tonight in Winnipeg.

 

[BASON]

Glad I get the 5.5 before it changed to 6 last night.

Have to think Tampa has to come out on fire tonight, but now way in hell I play them at -200. Caps have been great on the road so no way I can justify playing that line. I am going to take a shot at the Ov 1.5 in the first period.

 

[jng]

Glad I get the 5.5 before it changed to 6 last night.

Have to think Tampa has to come out on fire tonight, but now way in hell I play them at -200. Caps have been great on the road so no way I can justify playing that line. I am going to take a shot at the Ov 1.5 in the first period.

Excellent call. Thanks.

 

[BASON]

My pleasure JNG.

Complete domination by the Caps last night. I was expecting them to play well, but not this well. If this continues this series will be short. And all of this with their best 2-way player out with an injury. Their defense and checking have been great in this series. This team is extremely confident and on a roll right now. 7-1 on the road is extremely impressive. It is a long series but as long as the Caps do not lose both at home, I do not see them losing this one. DC will be rocking tomorrow night.

Sticking with Winnipeg tonight. Just a small play in regulation. They definitely looked like the better team last game and appear to be a very tough match up for Vegas.

 

[BASON]

Winnipeg seems to have a hard time putting 2 great games together. That one looks like it may go the distance.

Caps line is ridiculous again in my opinion. Tampa Even on the road based on how they have played has no value at all. Just wishful thinking that they are due to win a game. Will change tactics with this one. Last game play the 1st period over, this one will play the 3rd period over. When the Caps lose at home it is usually due to a third period let down. If they are up we will see a desperate Tampa team and likely see some goals. Will update line when I get it as it is not up yet for me.

 

[BASON]

It is clear that I simply do not understand hockey players. It is the one sport I have never played that I bet on and one I came to like later in life, so maybe there is a disconnect there. I can not understand how the Caps can look like world beaters on the road and so pathetic at home. Just does not register with me. You have a chance to bury your opponent at home and instead you let them right back into the series. I know Tampa picked up their game, but the Caps effort was uninspired at best in front of a crazed crowd that just watched 3 great road games. Not sure what it is, but if they play like that again tomorrow, they are in trouble.

To top it off we could not get a second goal in the third to win the bet.

Oh well, we move on. I will be on the Ov 5.5 tonight.

 

[BASON]

Lucky win last night, but I take it.

Coming back with the Ov 1.5 in the first period of the Caps game tonight. I expect them to come out hot in the first period given their performance in the last game. Lets see which team shows up tonight. I am betting we at least see their best in the first period.

 

[BASON]

The old Caps are back! Like watching the last 10 years of playoffs all rolled up into one game. Had to look twice to see if Fleury or Price was in net. They are getting what they deserve for not being able to put a complete game together at home. Give Tampa credit for adjusting and shutting down Caps power play which was the difference in the game. First period over was an easy winner.

See no reason not to stick with the over 5.5 again tonight.

 

[BASON]

Couldn't get that final goal last night.

Caps+150 - So I get a team that is 7-1 on the road at +150. Will take this blind every time. I actually think they may be in trouble tonight, but too much value in this line in my opinion. Trotz needs to put Backstrom back on the second line where he belongs and move Eller back down as he is killing them with penalties. At this point you can not try to protect Backstrom, if he is healthy, he should be where he was all season, if not, then bench him. Never seen two teams in a conference final play so bad at home, so we will see if it continues in the most important game of the series.

I will probably parlay this with Cleveland. I hate the NBA and think Boston is the better team but this should be a game Cleveland wins.

 

[BASON]

Sorry, was out of pocket last couple of days so couldn't post.

Man, that was one hell of a hockey game last night. I lived in DC a long time and I have been watching Caps games for a long time (I was never a fan when I was young, but was lucky to make some friends when I moved there that loved the game and they introduced me to it and took me to many, many games) and that is the most inspired I have ever seen them play. Never seen that kind of emotion from Ovechkin before and others were flying around like I have never seen. Just a great physical older school hockey game, everything playoff hockey should be.

If the Caps can play the same game in Tampa tomorrow they should win, but I would not count on it. I think the pressure moves to Tampa but they should be fired up as well. All this shapes up for a classic game 7. Really looking forward to this one. I may post a play tomorrow, but I am more interested in just watching another great game.

 

[BASON]

Doesn't look like many are giving the Caps a chance to win tonight. I get it. Home ice is not that big of an advantage in hockey but I do believe it counts in a game 7. On the other hand, I think more pressure is on Tampa in this game. I think Washington will be loose and extremely physical once again. If they can be physical and stay out of the penalty box I think they have a great chance. I just hope the officials stay the course and call it like game 6 where they let a lot of things go. There were missed calls on both sides but they let them play. Hopefully they do the same tonight.

Expect nothing but a great hockey game tonight so I am just going to enjoy. If I were to play I would likely play the Un 1.5 in the first period and consider Ov 1.5 in the 3rd. Should be a tight start as no one wants to get behind early and have to open up the game.

Enjoy!!

 

[BASON]

Fantastic game by the Caps. Ovechkin was finally the leader he should be in the playoffs. They dominated like in game 6 at Pitt. This team is making it happen when they need to and the better team won this series.

Will be an interesting Cup. George McPhee is the GM of Vegas and was in the same position for the Caps for a long time. I am sure Vegas will be favored but no way I am betting against the Caps at this point. Just seems to be their year.

I may have to be off to Vegas Monday morning. I am sure tickets will be near impossible but not a bad place to be to watch the first two games. Hard to believe the Stanley Cup is in Vegas!

 

[kickserv]

Hard to believe the Stanley Cup is in Vegas!

At 500-1 odds I'd say so:scared

http://www.madjacksports.com/forum/...go-bankrupt-if-the-Golden-Knights-win-the-Cup!

 

[BASON]

I like the Caps to win this. Just looks to be their year and Vegas is a great story either way. You have to love the way the Caps play on the road and I do not see that stopping in this series. Washington's top two lines are simply better than Vegas' in my opinion and younger players like Vrana and Stephenson just keep getting better. Holtby was simply fantastic is the last two games as the veteran defensemen have been. Fleury is playing great and I expect the same in the Series, but the Caps are very familiar with him. I think we will see some very tight games and a maybe a couple OT games, but I think the Caps win in 6.

I will post some individual plays when I can. I will be going to many of the games.

 

[BASON]

Finally game day, especially after watching that hideous basketball game last night. Sorry, yes Lebron was awesome, but that game sucked.

Surprising number of Caps fans in Vegas and tons of excitement for this game.

In general, I think this will be a tight lower scoring series. Caps will continue their physical play, Vegas will focus on shutting down Caps first two lines, and we have 2 very hot goalies. However, I think the home team will be come out firing on all cylinders tonight sparked by the crowd so I will play the 1st period Over in this one.

This is about as excited as an old man can get for a hockey game. Going to be lots of fun.

 

[kickserv]

This is about as excited as an old man can get for a hockey game.