Your savory breakfast links:
- Notes from yesterdays practice (short version: Jose Theodore named starter, Nicklas Backstrom under the weather and questionable for Game 1, Alex Ovechkin left practice early). [Corey Masisak, CI, Ed Frankovic, Caps In Pictures (pics)]
- Amazing look at the two teams’ shared history. [EOTP]
- Things you might not know that you really should. [Dump n’ Chase]
- On the “war of the words” that really is “battle of barbs” at most. [In somewhat chronological order, D.C. Sports Bog, D.C. Sports Bog, DCEx, Toronto Sun]
- So who has the advantage in net anyway? [CBC, TSN, PHT, FtR]
- More on Jose Theodore. [Corey Masisak, Scott Burnside, D.C. Sports Bog, Montreal Gazette (with the revelation of a Masterton vote), Homer McFanboy, RDS]
- And a nice AO profile. [USA Today]
- Clips from the WaPo Live playoff par-tay. [CI]
- The playoffs offer a fresh start for the Habs. [Gazette]
- All eyes on Alex Ovechkin. (All? It certainly seems as if there are plenty on JT60.) [CP]
- “Is this finally Ovie’s time?” Finally? Dude’s 24. [Sun]
- More on the Canadiens PP vs. Caps PK match-up. [Gazette]
- If the Caps and Habs played this series 10,000 times, Montreal would win just 322 series. So you’re saying there’s a chance… [WhatIfSports (Objective NHL thinks a Habs win is ten times as likely)]
- … also a chance for some bigger things… [NHL.com (though it’s hard to see how they’re so bullish), Puck Daddy, (and h/t to YNC for pulling a lot of the long-range predictions together in this FanPost)]
- … so bet the house. Or not. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- “Montreal [is] in big trouble.” Gotta like the sound of that. [BtN]
- Here’s a detailed road map for how the Habs can win. Impressive post, to say the least. [EoTP]
- Hey, at least it’s not the Bruins again, Canadiens fans. [Gazette]
- Offense could be the name of the game this post-season. (We sure hope so.) [NHL.com]
- Predictions: Pat Hickey, John Buccigross, Michael Farber, Darren Eliot, Stan Fischler, Empty Netters, BtN (with the shocker of all picks), Canwest, Peerless, OFB, PHT, Objective NHL, CK (or his dog) and Puck the Media.
- Good stuff on former Cap and Hab Doug Jarvis. [Gazette]
- The Caps introduce standing-room-only seating… [D.C. Sports Bog]
- … and “secure area for players to park their cars” at Kettler. [Ted’s Take]
- As you know, the Caps offense is a little bit good. [CapsBlog]
- A part-time Habs fan (you might know her) bids adieu to her second-favorite team. [FanPost]
- Ah, memories. [CI]
- Caps OT keeps rollin’ with Episode 5. [CSN Washington]
- Some Awards-related posts of note. [FanHouse, USA Today, A Capital Offense, DC Landing Strip]
- The Caps aren’t the only NHL team whose AHL affiliate has mirrored its parent club. [FtR]
- On old and new fans and the tension betwixt. [Peerless]
- Before we get started, a look back. [MD Pro Sports, A Capital Offense]
- Today in Caps playoff history:
- 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh in Game 2 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Quarters, series tied at one
- 7-2 win over Philadelphia in Game 6 of the 1988 Patrick Division Semis, series tied at three
- 4-2 loss to the Islanders in Game 5 of the 1987 Patrick Division Semis, Caps led series 3-2
- 6-4 loss to the Islanders in Game 4 of the 1985 Patrick Division Semis, series tied at two
- Finally, happy 43rd birthday to Alain Cote and happy 47th birthday to Paul MacDermid.