Series Breakdown: Capitals vs. Penguins
By Bill Clement
Special to ESPN.com
Just like the rest of the rest of the Eastern Conference, this one has plenty to make it a tough call. Check out which team has the edge, and then see what I think the outcome will be.
Matching up 5-on-5
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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Pittsburgh has more offense than just Jaromir Jagr. The Penguins have Alexei Kovalev, Martin Straka, Josef Beranek and Alexei Morozov, who can all come alive. Washington lives and dies with the Adam Oates-Chris Simon combination. With Jagr healthy and ready, Peter Bondra must find a way to kick his offense into high gear. Defensively, the new Washington system, with the forward high in the offensive zone, will help eliminate odd-man rushes, which kill you if you are playing against Pittsburgh. The Penguins defense got a big boost at the trade deadline with Bob Boughner and Janne Laukkanen added to the blue line.
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Special teams
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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Both teams' power plays rank fairly low, but Oates is the best passer in the game. Pittsburgh's power-play unit yields short-handed goals regularly.
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Goaltending
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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In a long series, Olaf Kolzig is a huge advantage for Washington. For the Penguins to win, they must hope that Ron Tugnutt can stay hot. Kolzig is in a zone by himself. As hot as Tugnutt has been, you can't pick against Kolzig.
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Intangibles
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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The main intangible is Pittsburgh's new-found intensity and defensive tenacity since the trade deadline. It could pose big problems for Washington. So for the Capitals to win, it must be a short series. A long series favors Pittsburgh, because the Penguins will gain confidence as the series wears on.
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PREDICTION
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Capitals in six on the strength of Kolzig's play.
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Bill Clement, a former NHL star with the Flyers, serves as an NHL analyst for ESPN and ABC.
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