Your savory breakfast links:
● Previews of today’s Game 1 with the Rangers from Vogs, NHL.com, WaPo, CRtC and ESPN NY, and be sure to check out Friend o’ the Rink Scotty Hockey and our SB Nation partner Blueshirt Banter for more coverage from the other side of today’s match-up.
● Notes and assorted whatnot from yesterday’s Caps practice:
○ In general. [Caps365 video (Rinkside Update, Hunter, Ovechkin, Holtby, Backstrom, Laich, Chimera, Ward), NHL.com, WaPo, WashTimes, CSNW, 106.7 The Fan DC, DCEx, Puck Buddys (pics)]
○ The Caps got they swagga back. Or maybe just a quiet confidence … [WaPo]
○ … and they are in it to win it. [WaPo]
○ Joel Ward is still processing the last 72 hours … [WaPo (and again), DC Sports Bog, WashTimes (and again), DCEx, CSNW, 106.7 The Fan]
○ … and hey, his ‘mates have his back. [WashTimes]
○ Who has two thumbs and a super Round One series in the books? This guy! [WashTimes (and again)]
○ Cool as the other side of the pillow, is Braden Holtby. [WashTimes]
○ The reports of Dale Hunter’s coaching demise are greatly exaggerated. [Dump ‘n’ Chase]
○ Jay Beagle savors a good win. [WaPo]
○ But isn’t Sasha Semin always an ‘X-Factor?” [NHL.com]
○ Mistakes were made. [WaPo via @wyshynski]
● Notes from the Rangers’ end of the ice:
○ Injury Report: Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky are questionable for today’s game. [NY Post]
○ Pregame notes and media guide. [NY Rangers]
○Five keys to defeating the Caps. [ESPN NY]
○ This time, it’s personal. [NY Daily News]
● The hockey press still wants to be held by Holtby … [NYT, THN, NHL.com, SportsNet, Coaches’ Corner, Blue Seats Blog (scouting report)]
○ … but have a look at this Round One scoring chance save% comparison chart. Hmm. [Eye on Hockey]
● Predictions (and series previews):
○ Rangers in seven. [Red Light District, HNIC,The Rhino Report, @bmcnally14, Sergey Gimaev]
○ Rangers in six. [Rangers Report, THW, NorthJersey.com, NY Newsday, USA Today, The Hockey News, ESPN]
○ Rangers in five. […]
○ Rangers in four (yes, really). [The Fourth Period via Blue Line Station]
○ Caps in six. [Peerless, Mishka Bloglin, Buffalo News, Frankovic, Soviet Sport]
○Caps in seven. [CBS Sports, THW]
○ Roundtables with too many predictions to compile … [Japers’ Rink, Puck Daddy, Eye on Hockey, Caps Outsider, PHT]
○ … and series previews without predictions. [Globe and Mail, New York Magazine, SB Nation, DSP, PHT, Puck ‘n’ Hockey, The New York Rangers Blog via BrooksLaichYear]
● Actually, it’s more than a series. [Sick Unbelievable]
● Invitation to a block party. [PHT, WashTimes]
● The London, Ontario press is looking forward to the Hunter/Torts pressers. Or not. [LFP]
● “The quality of Dale is that he is not bluffing.” Quebec-based scouts have some thoughts on the Caps’ new style. [LeSoleil via somewhat-tortured GTrans]
● The Hershey Bears staved off elimination for the second game in a row and will play tonight for the chance to move on to Round Two of the Calder Cup Playoffs. [Patriot-News, SHoE, Caps Outsider, Chirps, Sports Burger, Pens Insider]
● Playoff beard check! Don’t forget to stop by and donate. [DSP]
