1. The Caps face elimination tonight and are as ready as they’ll ever be:
#Caps‘ Braden Holtby on being down 3-1 to #Pens: “I don’t think we’re panicking at all in here. We’re just ready for the opportunity.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 6, 2016
Alzner on facing elimination: “Guys that have been there know how to stop thinking about that. We’ve had trouble with that in the past.”
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) May 7, 2016
Trotz: “This group is not afraid of where we’re at. We know where we’re at. We’re realists.”
— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) May 6, 2016
Trotz: “We’ll find out what we’re all about tonight, that’s for sure.”
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) May 7, 2016
***
2. Desperate for a bit more offense, Barry Trotz has shaken up his lines:
Lines:
8-92-77
90-19-65
25-83-14
Fourth line is a mish mash with Richards out.— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 6, 2016
Mike Richards was under the weather yesterday, but apparently will be available tonight, so expect him to center the fourth line, between Daniel Winnik and Tom Wilson
On the blueline, look for Nate Schmidt to draw back in with Mike Weber heading back to the press box.
Schmidt: “It was a good rest for me. Never want to do it, but hey, sometimes you need to hit the reset button.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 7, 2016
The #schmidtuation: https://t.co/II2XmDGbeB
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 7, 2016
***
3. Optimism: because why not?
Five reasons the Capitals are staying positive https://t.co/sUiP2vM5WU
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) May 7, 2016
Five reasons why the Caps could still win this series https://t.co/fB3lRGmgx6
— RMNB (@russianmachine) May 6, 2016
New episode: The Case for Optimism. #TED speakers on why they believe the future is bright. https://t.co/ByHWKqkUih pic.twitter.com/F8iL9VXIbH
— TED Radio Hour (@TEDRadioHour) May 6, 2016