Just something that has been rattling in the empty space between my ears, dunno if it means anything or not, but in looking back over the schedule and results from the regular season, the Caps seem to hone their focus and really get up for match-ups with the Penguins.  In looking at the results, it's almost as if they were thinking about the Pens in advance.  Their record in games before a match up with the Pens is 1-3-0, with the only win being a *very* good win over a tough Vancouver team. 

Consider the other games:

January 13, the Caps lose a bad one at home to Edmonton, then travel up to Pittsburgh and beat the Pens

February 20, the Caps lose a *very* bad one to the Avalanch, then beat the Pens on the following Sunday afternoon

March 5, the Caps lose another bad one, to Toronto, then lose in a shoot-out to the Pens.

The Caps, it would seem, look past opponents when the Pens come up on the schedule...meaning they will be focused and ready for 7 games against the Black and Yellow....