Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Getting Ready for The Habs

Buffalo Sabres v Montreal Canadiens

Photo courtesy of Pic App

The Capital's first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs is just about 48 hours away and their opponents have already started with the smack talk, courtesy of Habs forward Tomas Plekenac. Plekenac gave the Caps their first piece of bulletin board fodder today when he quipped "It's not like we're facing (Martin) Brodeur or (Ryan) Miller. They don't have a dominant goaltender." These snitty comments were directed at former Canadien and current Capital starting goaltender Jose Theodore, of course. To which Jose replied: "Tomas who? Jagr? Oh Plekanec. OK. I thought you meant Jagr." Yep folks, it's playoff time - where the gloves come off and lifelong rivalries are formed.

Most people are picking Washington to win the series but Habs goalie Jaroslav Halak feels like there's much more pressure on the Caps, leaving room for a surprise upset. All the goalie talk aside, success for either team in this series will most likely come down to Washington's penalty kill (and staying out of the box, Alex Semin) or the Habs' impressive power play. The Canadiens' power play, which features the likes of Mike Cammalleri, ranks second behind that of Washington's (which of course boasts some of NHL's hottest snipers in Nick Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and wrecking crew).

So we'll just have to ignore the smack talk and let the boys get down to business starting Thursday. Nicklas Backstrom is apparently under the weather but Boudreau anticipates he may be good to go for Game 1. Get that boy some chicken soup and let's get ready to rock the red and start these playoffs already!

In addition to all the great information provided by all the fabulous hockey writers on my blog roll, be sure to check out the daily "Get to Know a Canadien" feature over at Japer's Rink. Also, D.C. Sports Bog is your source for lots of fun and totally uncoventional Capitals facts.

For the perspective from the "other guys" in hockey-mad Montreal, check out some of these sites that cover Les Canadiens:
And if you're able to get away from work or school, be sure to join your fellow Caps fans to help get the boys pumped up at the Capital One Bank Rock the Red Rally tomorrow (April 14) from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Fans can watch the team practice as they get ready for the long-awaited Game 1. 106.7 The Fan will also be broadcasting live during the pep rally.

The Mike Wise Show with Holden Kushner from 106.7 The Fan will broadcast live Wednesday from Kettler Capitals Iceplex. The Capital One Bank Rock the Red Rally will feature a variety of fun, interactive activities and include post-practice comments from Coach Boudreau. Capital One Bank will be giving away rally towels to fans while Slapshot will be distributing prizes throughout the morning.



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