1. Welcome to the series that the NHL is banking on to save these playoffs thanks to the marquee matchup.
My story today on Ovechkin vs Crosby, a rematch after seven years that will save Round 2 https://t.co/HAN5xX3NKw pic.twitter.com/L8JoXcg23w
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 25, 2016
I took a swing at the classic Crosby-vs-Ovechkin debate on the NHL website today https://t.co/V06an4mh4O I’m sure this won’t draw any heat.
— Rob Vollman (@robvollmanNHL) April 25, 2016
Star wars: Penguins’ Crosby, Capitals’ Ovechkin collide in Round 2 https://t.co/p0y6URuuq3 via @PittsburghPG
— Jenn Menendez (@JennMenendez) April 26, 2016
#Pens Sidney Crosby & #Caps Alex Ovechkin have met 45 previous times in the regular season & playoffs
The Breakdown pic.twitter.com/gvdjXBZ4xU
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 24, 2016
And while Sidney Crosby wears the “C” as the Penguins captain, Eric Fehr is their Captain Obvious:
Eric Fehr to Pittsburgh reporters on Crosby vs Ovechkin: “I’m not going to lie. I think both players get up for the games.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 25, 2016
But Barry Trotz is right (as usual):
Trotz says it’s “disrespectful” to refer to #Pens vs. #Caps as Crosby vs. Ovechkin. He understands it’s a good storyline.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) April 26, 2016
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2. So when’s this thing gonna start anyway?
Per @PR_NHL, tomorrow is first time another round starts before previous round is completed since 1983: 2nd/3rd-round on same night.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) April 26, 2016
Schedule update.
Pittsburgh v Washington looks to start Thursday. Game 2 will go in Prime time on Saturday after the Draft Lottery.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) April 25, 2016
Pens and Caps to start with weekend back-to-back? https://t.co/ReLJTXf5h6 pic.twitter.com/In0QRnWEwZ
— Pensburgh (@Pensburgh) April 26, 2016
Penguins players told me they still don’t know when Game 1 is. Were told to be ready for Thursday but that it wasn’t set in stone.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 26, 2016
In sum, who the hell knows?
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3. Brooks Orpik skated with the team today for the first time since leaving Game 3 against the Flyers… but one of his blueline buddies wasn’t out there:
Brooks Orpik on his way to practice, 1st practice w team since injury. #CapitalsTalk pic.twitter.com/UfcPlq0JXZ
— Jill Sorenson (@JillCSN) April 26, 2016
#Caps Brooks Orpik felt rusty in practice, said he still has to do some things with doctors before knowing he can play Game 1 vs. #Pens.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) April 26, 2016
It’s officially a maintenance day for Alzner, per team.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 26, 2016
Trotz gave Alzner a day off. “He’s a warrior. He played a lot of minutes. A lot of pucks him. … I expect him to be just fine.”
— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) April 26, 2016
Also, it looks like the swap of middle-six wings we saw in Game 6 is still a thing:
Jersey colors would indicate Andre Burakovsky is still in the bottom six with Marcus Johansson in the top six.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 26, 2016