da.moose

Penguins Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Capitals The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken a commanding 2-1 series lead over the Washington Capitals, thanks in large part to well-rounded contributions from their top players and a surprising rookie defenseman. "It's a big win for us," Penguins Evan Bouchard said after the victory. "We know these games are tight, and getting production from all over the lineup is key." Leading the charge for Pittsburgh has been a trio of familiar faces: Brandon Montour, Elias Lindholm, and Roope Hintz. Each player has chipped in offensively, with Hintz racking up a goal and three assists in game three. "We're just trying to play our game," said Hintz. "We know if we can create chances, we have the talent to put the puck in the net." But the story of this series hasn't been limited to the Penguins' established stars. Rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei has stepped up in a big way, providing a physical presence and a calming influence on the blue line. "It's definitely a big adjustment," Lohrei admitted. "But the guys have been really supportive, and I'm just trying to contribute any way I can." The Capitals, on the other hand, have seen a different kind of contribution. While their top line featuring Carter Verhaeghe and Evgeny Kuznetsov has been held scoreless, unexpected heroes have emerged. Gritty defenseman Nikita Zadorov has surprised everyone with his offensive prowess, leading the way with two points already in the series. "We need everyone to step up in the playoffs," Zadorov said. "It doesn't matter who gets the goals, as long as we find a way to win." Depth players like Miles Wood and Brandon Duhaime have also chipped in with key goals, while veteran free agent signing Andrew Cogliano has provided leadership and a steady hand on the penalty kill. "Cogs has been a huge piece for us," Capitals coach Scott Stevens said. "His experience is invaluable, and he's playing some of the best hockey of his career." However, for the Capitals to stay alive, their stars will need to start producing. Verhaeghe who led the way with five goals in the first round, acknowledged this after the loss. "We know we haven't been at our best," Verhaeghe said. "But we're confident we can turn things around. We have a group of guys in here who believe in each other." While the Capitals have shown resilience, the Penguins' balanced attack and strong defensive play make them the favorites moving forward. If Washington wants to extend their season, they'll need their top players to rediscover their scoring touch and limit the contributions from Pittsburgh's role players. Otherwise, it may be the Penguins celebrating a trip to the conference finals.

Round Two Matchups East: Washington vs. Pittsburgh Buffalo vs. Toronto West: Edmonton vs. Vancouver Winnipeg vs. Colorado

Avalanche Poised to Roll Over Jets in Second Round Clash The Colorado Avalanche are looking every bit the part of a Stanley Cup contender as they roll into the second round of the playoffs. After dispatching the Arizona Coyotes in a clean four-game sweep, the Avs set their sights on the Winnipeg Jets, a team with a history of playoff heartbreak. On paper, this series seems like a mismatch, with the Avalanche boasting a firepower that could melt the Manitoba ice. The Avalanche offense has been a force to be reckoned with all season long, and that hasn't changed in the playoffs. Valeri Nichushkin, who missed time this season due to some personal off-ice issues, has seamlessly fit back into the top six, putting up points alongside superstars like Mike Zibanejad and Jason Robertson. "We've got a group in here that can score from all over the lineup," said Avalanche forward Jake Guentzel. "We're not a one-line team, and that makes us tough to match up against. We just need to keep playing our game, and the goals will come." The Jets, meanwhile, are heavy underdogs. Losing starting goaltender Thatcher Demko to a lower-body injury was a massive blow to their chances. Without Demko between the pipes, it's hard to imagine where the Jets will find a matchup edge that they can exploit. Offensively, the Jets will need a superhuman effort from Elias Pettersson, who has been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the playoffs. "We all know what Petey is capable of," said Jets defenseman Hampus Lindholm. "If he can elevate his game and become the best player on the ice every night, we'll give ourselves a chance. But we know it's going to be a huge uphill battle." The Jets have a strong roster with plenty talent, but this Avalanche team seems like a different beast altogether. While Winnipeg will undoubtedly fight hard, the Avalanche's offensive juggernaut seems almost unstoppable. The key for the Jets will be finding a way to limit the damage and get offensive production from Pettersson. Otherwise, this series could be over before it even gets interesting.

Here's a side by side of this Western Conference powerhouse matchup Vancouver Canucks Edmonton Oilers Artemi Panarin JT Miller Artturi Lehkonen Jamie Benn Martin Necas Mikko Rantanen Chris Kreider Charlie Coyle Jake Debrusk Nick Cousins Tyler Seguin Craig Smith Derek Ryan Sam Girard Aaron Ekblad Mattias Ekholm Jani Hakanpaa Braden Schneider Brandon Carlo Parker Wotherspoon Sam Malinski Dmitry Kulikov Carson Soucy Caleb Jones Igor Shesterkin Jake Oettinger IR: Gabriel Landeskog Good luck to both @Theo5789 and @Canuck Surfer in what should be an intense battle!

Battle in the West: Canucks Aim to Keep Rolling, Oilers Look to Upset in Second-Round Showdown The second round of the GML playoffs is up and going in Vancouver, with the President's Trophy-winning Canucks taking on the red-hot Edmonton Oilers in a series brimming with potential. Both teams boast legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations, making this a matchup hockey fans won't want to miss. Vancouver enters the series fresh off a hard-fought seven-game battle against the Nashville Predators. Despite a valiant effort from the Preds, the Canucks' offensive firepower, led by JT Miller, Artemi Panarin and Artturi Lekhonen, proved to be too much to handle. "We learned a lot about ourselves in that series," said Canucks star JT Miller. "We faced adversity, but we stuck together. That kind of experience can be invaluable this deep in the playoffs." However, the Oilers shouldn't be underestimated. After a slow start to the season, Edmonton surged down the stretch, culminating in a pre-deadline trade that brought in superstar winger Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen's impact has been undeniable, bringing a much-needed spark of leadership and offensive creativity to the Oilers. "We weren't happy with how things were going," admitted Oilers forward Jamie Benn. "But bringing in Mikko [Rantanen] changed everything. He's brought a championship mentality to this team, and we're all feeding off his energy." Rantanen will be tasked with leading the charge against a potent Canucks attack. Edmonton boasts a deep, six-man defensive unit anchored by Aaron Ekblad, but they'll need to be at their best to contain Vancouver's dynamic top-six forwards. "It's going to be a battle," said Ekblad. "We know they have a lot of weapons up front, but we're confident in our group. It's all about taking it one shift at a time and making them work for every inch of ice." Both teams have the luxury of elite goaltending, with Jake Oettinger standing tall for the Canucks and Igor Shesterkin emerging as a true difference-maker for Edmonton. Whichever goaltender can steal a game or two could very well swing the series. "It's a goalie's dream on this stage," said Shesterkin. "You just want to give your team a chance to win every night. I'm ready for the challenge." This series promises to be a classic matchup of offense versus defense, with both teams hungry to take the next step towards their ultimate goal - hoisting the Stanley Cup. Puck drops tonight in Vancouver, and hockey fans across Canada are sure to be glued to their televisions.

The other Eastern Conference matchup should be a barn burner as well between @Lethunder and @Gator Here's how the lineups stack up side by side: Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo Sabres Frederic - MacKinnon - Reinhart Tarasenko - Trocheck - Teravainen Kane - Colton - Stankoven Goodrow -Staal - Martinook Heinen - Luostarainen - Mikheyev Fast - Kovalenko - Bonino Vesey Fox - Manson Hughes - Ceci Nurse - Mikkola Kulak - Peeke Myers Bobrovsky Ullmark

Here is the Capitals/Penguins matchup side by side: Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins Verhaeghe - Kuznetsov - Henrique Hintz - Duchene - Lindholm Wood - Stenlund - Noesen Dadonov - Geekie - Rodrigues Duhaime - Cogliano - Okposo Drouin - Drury - Cotter Toews - Skjei Bouchard - Hronek Zadorov - Suter Montour - Lohrei Stecher - Desharnais Shattenkirk Quick Kochetkov Should be a close one @ActionJax09

Caps Upset Devils in Dominant Fashion, Now Face the Pittsburgh Penguins The Washington Capitals defied the odds and sent a shockwave through the NHL by knocking off the defending champion New Jersey Devils in a convincing series win. The victory was a true team effort, but all eyes were on the red-hot Carter Verhaeghe, the undrafted free agent who emerged as a leader for the Caps with a jaw-dropping five goal series. "We knew it wouldn't be easy going up against the champs," said Capitals star Devon Toews after the series clinching win. "But we bought in to the system, blocked shots, and got pucks deep. Guys like Verhaeghe here, they willed it to happen." Verhaeghe, a player coaches love to call a "glue guy," has quickly become a fan favorite in Washington. "It's all about getting pucks to the net and going hard to the dirty areas," Verhaeghe said with a grin. "The bounces are going our way right now, and we're feeding off each other's energy on the ice." While the champagne is still flowing in the Capitals locker room, there's no time to rest. Up next is a rematch against their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was Jake DeBrusk's heart-breaking empty net goal that sent the Capitals packing in the first round. This Penguins team presents a different challenge. Stacked with talent, they boast former Capitals draft pick Filip Hronek and a hunger for their first ever GML Cup. The Capitals, despite missing some key players this season, believe their experience and desperation will be their advantage. "We're definitely the underdogs on paper," said veteran forward Andrew Cogliano "But we've got a group of guys in here who are willing to do whatever it takes, and we're not going to back down from a challenge." Head Coach Scott Stevens preached the importance of getting contributions from everyone if they want to extend their playoff run. "We need depth scoring," Laviolette emphasized. "Guys like Stefan Noesen, Adam Henrique, and Miles Wood, they have to step up and be difference makers. We can't rely solely on Verhaeghe's magic touch." One thing's for sure, the upcoming series between the Capitals and Penguins promises to be a battle of wills. Can the Capitals overcome the odds and silence the doubters once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: they'll leave it all on the ice.

Washington Capitals Round 2 Roster Carter Verhaeghe - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Adam Henrique Miles Wood - Kevin Stenlund - Stefan Noesen Brandon Duhaime - Andrew Cogliano - Kyle Okposo Devon Toews - Brady Skjei Nikita Zadorov - Vincent Desharnais Troy Stecher Jonathan Quick To Be Determined * Anthony Mantha * Ryan Suter Injured Reserve Logan O'Connor

Canucks vs. Predators Prove There's No Quit in Champions The NHL playoffs are all about grit, determination, and that undeniable will to hoist the Stanley Cup. This year, the series between the Nashville Predators and the Vancouver Canucks is exemplifying exactly that. Both teams boast championship pedigree, with the Predators taking home the trophy in 2020 and the Canucks conquering the league in 2019. On the Vancouver side, all eyes are on @Theo5789, the first-year GM who's already established himself as a strategic mastermind. Despite the lack of a championship ring, Theo5789's two Presidents Trophies in two different franchises speak volumes about his ability to build a winning team. Early on, it seemed like the Canucks, stacked with offensive firepower like Artturi Lehkonen, Adrian Kempe, Jake DeBrusk, and Chris Kreider, were simply too much for the Predators to handle. Goals came relentlessly, showcasing the kind of offensive dominance many expected from the Presidents' Trophy winners. But true to champion form, @Sergei Bobrovsky's Predators have dug deep and found a renewed fire. The return of star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev has bolstered their defensive core, while offensive juggernauts Jack Eichel, Nikita Kucherov, and Brayden Point have elevated their play to a whole new level. As the series goes into a pivotal game, both teams are echoing the same sentiment: "We're taking it one game at a time," said Brayden Point of the Predators. "There's no quit in this locker room, and we believe we can win this series." Vancouver's veteran winger Jake DeBrusk echoed the sentiment, adding, "We know Nashville is a battle-tested team. They've been here before, and they won't go down without a fight. But we came here to win, and we're not backing down from a challenge." The NHL playoffs are a marathon, not a sprint, and this series between the Predators and the Canucks is proving that. With grit, determination, and a whole lot of heart, both teams are leaving it all on the ice, making it one of the most exciting matchups to watch this postseason.

Capitals Exorcise Past Demons, Grab 2-0 Lead on Devils The ghosts of playoffs past haven't haunted the Washington Capitals just yet. Despite a historically lopsided postseason record in favor of the New Jersey Devils (5-1 all-time, with Washington's last win coming in 2012), the Capitals find themselves in unfamiliar territory: up 2-0 in their first-round series. The sting of past defeats is still fresh for some Capitals veterans. "We all remember what happened last time we met the Devils in the playoffs," said defenseman Devon Toews. "They kicked our teeth in. This year feels different, though. There's a hunger in this locker room, a belief that we can finally get over the hump." That hunger has been evident on the ice. The loss of William Nylander, who shattered the Capitals' franchise record with 98 points this season, could have been a crippling blow. But players like Mark Scheifele, Carter Verhaeghe, and Brady Skjei have stepped up in a big way. "We've got a next-man-up mentality," said forward Stefan Noesen. "Obviously, Willy [Nylander] is a huge loss, but other guys are finding the net. It's a great sign for our depth." Depth has indeed been a key factor for the Capitals. Miles Wood, who has battled injuries throughout his career, has provided a spark with his relentless forechecking. Key role players Stefan Noesen and Adam Henrique have chipped in with timely goals. "We're playing with a lot of jam right now," said Head Coach Scott Stevens. "We're forechecking hard, creating turnovers, and getting pucks to the net. That's the recipe for success in the playoffs." Of course, despite the early lead, the Capitals are well aware that the series is far from over. "We're happy with the start, but nobody in this room is getting ahead of themselves," said captain Mark Scheifele. "The Devils are a dangerous team, and we know they'll come out flying in Washington. We can't take our foot off the gas pedal." The message from the Capitals is clear: they're not satisfied with just stealing home-ice advantage. They want to exorcise the demons of the past and finally slay the Devils in the playoffs. Whether they can maintain their focus and close out the series on the road remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: these Capitals are playing with a swagger they haven't shown in years against their bitter rivals.

Thanks @Canuck Surfer, but it's waaaaaaaayyy too early to count out New Jersey. Happy that some of my guys stepped up in game one though; especially with William Nylander in the lineup

Washington Capitals Playoff Roster Carter Verhaeghe - Mark Scheifele - William Nylander Adam Henrique - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Anthony Mantha Miles Wood - Pontus Holmberg - Stefan Noesen Cole Smith - Andrew Cogliano - Brandon Duhaime Kevin Stenlund Devon Toews - Brady Skjei Brenden Dillon - Jake McCabe Nikita Zadorov - Ryan Suter Joel Edmundson - Vincent Desharnais Andrei Vasilevskiy Jonathan Quick Black Aces: Kyle Okposo, Otto Koivula, Parker Ford, Emil Martinsen, Troy Stecher, Darcy Kuemper

Injured Reserve: The Washington Capitals place Logan O'Connor on the injured reserve Activation: The Washington Capitals activate Evgeny Kuznetsov and place him on the NHL roster Washington Capitals Current Lineup Carter Verhaeghe - Mark Scheifele - William Nylander Miles Wood - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Anthony Mantha Cole Smith - Adam Henrique - Stefan Noesen Brandon Duhaime - Kevin Stenlund - Andrew Cogliano Kyle Okposo Devon Toews - Brady Skjei Brenden Dillon - Jake McCabe Nikita Zadorov - Ryan Suter Joel Edmunsdson - Vincent Desharnais Andrei Vasilevskiy Jonathan Quick

whoops

Recently, the Washington Capitals made some sizeable moves at the trade deadline in an attempt to win their first ever CDCGML Cup. The team moved on from some veterans at various positions, in order to retool their roster to compete in the ultra-competitive Eastern Conference. Roster players including Pierre Engvall, Erik Cernak, Mike Hoffman, and Marc Staal were moved via trade, while Tyler Johnson was acquired by the LA Kings via waivers as the day concluded. "We would like to thank the many departed players for their time and contributions to the Washington Capitals. One player in particular, Pierre Engvall has spent his entire career developing and playing various roles for our team. We are really extremely proud of him for his continued devotion and focus to improvement, and hope that the best years for him are yet to come now that he will be playing in Seattle. Same goes for Mike Hoffman, who came in in attempt to rejuvenate his career in Washington on a one year deal. We hope that playing in Seattle gives him an opportunity to play a larger offensive role, and hopefully re-find his groove as a scorer at the NHL level." "As per the defensemen that we moved, we felt that we reshaped our group and added some players that gave us the size and toughness we needed as well as a little extra offensive production. Staal and Cernak are both extremely reliable defensive defenders, but we felt that at this time, the players coming in will make us a little more potent offensively moving forward. We wish both men the best in Columbus." Other players that were shipped out include Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Mason Shaw, and Isaak Phillips who are all young players that have spent time on the NHL club as well as prospects including Kristian Vesalainen, Aatu Jamsen, Brandon Bussi, and Mikhail Abramov." "Moving out talented young players with bright futures in this league is never an easy decision. However, their new organizations might have opportunities available to them in the near term that could potentially make them mainstays in the NHL. We wish them the best moving forward and are proud of them for their contributions to our organization." Lastly, veterans Justin Holl and Darcy Kuemper, both of which have underperformed this season have cleared waivers and were assigned to the Capitals AHL affiliate Dover Dobermans. "Johnson getting claimed by LA, like Hoffman gives him a great opportunity to become a key contributor at the NHL level. Unfortunately, with the moves we made, we couldn't keep him on our roster despite making a lot of positive contributions to our team. As per Darcy and Justin, both players have reported to Dover where they will play key roles and keep playing competitive hockey. We made it clear that we might need them come playoff time and that it is critical that they use this opportunity to play extended minutes and find some of the confidence that they have been lacking for some of this season as their roles diminished." In terms of additions, the Caps made a major overhaul to their defence adding Brady Skjei, Jake McCabe, Joel Edmundson, and Vincent Desharnais. "We weren't expecting to bring in all these players, but by the time the day ended, we felt that we really solidified what we thought was a weakness of ours over the past couple seasons. When we acquired Desharnais, and Edmundson we felt really good about our depth. Both guys bring a lot of size and physicality which all teams need come playoff time. The moves also gave us confidence to move on from a couple other stay at home defenders and add McCabe and of course Brady Skjei who we think makes our defensive group a lot more threatening offensively without sacrificing too much in terms of defence. Skjei gives us an extremely talented big-minute d-man who we highly coveted. Same thing goes for McCabe who has proven to bring leadership and a solid all around game. We're really excited about how all four men will fit in in with our group" Additionally, the Caps added some depth up front in Kyle Okposo, Brandon Duhaime and Kevin Stenlund while also adding Jonathan Quick to backup Vasilevskiy and added 24-year old Jack St. Ivany who will join the AHL club. "When we heard that Logan O'Connor would be missing the rest of the season, we realized we were losing a major depth piece that we relied on for speed, grit, energy and intangibles in the bottom six. By adding Okposo, Duhaime, and Stenlund we feel we got a lot more physical at the bottom of oour forward group and hopefully that serves us well. The East is a grind and it's looking like we are going to be facing Mike Vanderhoek's Devils again in the first round' a team we haven't had playoff success against since 2012. We are fully aware that his team is loaded with talent throughout the lineup at every position, but we hope that we have done enough to compete against his roster and hopefully made a run for a Championship this season. Quick is having a great season and bringing him in as a backup gives us a whole lot of confidence in our goaltending, and we are also excited about bringing in Jack St. Ivany, a rangy, young right-handed defender to compete for minutes in what we believe is one of the most talented defence groups that we have ever rostered at the AHL level." "Lastly, we would like to thank all the agents, managers, and executives who continue to devote the time and energy necessary to make this league the best fantasy hockey league in the world." In: Brady Skjei, Jake McCabe Kyle Okposo Brandon Duhaime Kevin Stenlund Joel Edmundson Vincent Desharnais Jonathan Quick Jack St. Ivany Out: Erik Cernak Pierre Engvall Tyler Johnson Mike Hoffman Marc Staal Rafael Harvey-Pinard Mason Shaw Isaak Phillips Brandon Bussi Mikhail Abramov Kristian Vesalalinen Aatu Jamsen Toronto 3rd (2024) Washington 1st (2025) Washington 3rd (2025)

Pending Trade Call... Waivers: The Washington Capitals place Tyler Johnson on waivers Waivers: The Washington Capitals place Justin Holl on waivers Waivers: The Washington Capitals place Darcy Kuemper on waivers If cleared, all three players will be assigned to the AHL

Last call for anyone that wants Justin Holl, Darcy Kuemper or Tyler Johnson

Teams looking for depth playoff defensemen can feel free to contact Washington who might have a couple available.

Assignment: The Washington Capitals assign Emil Lilleberg to the AHL

The Washington Capitals are excited to announce the acquisition of Erik Cernak as well as extensions for both Brenden Dillon and Nikita Zadorov. With Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes and these guys protecting him, we believe that Washington will be one of the toughest teams to play against in the entire league.

Assignment: The Washington Capitals assign Isaak Phillips to the AHL

Injured Reserve: The Washington Capitals place Evgeny Kuznetsov on the injured reserve, as he has entered the NHL assistance program Activation: The Washington Capitals activate Tyler Johnson and place him on the NHL roster Lineup above adjusted accordingly.

Activation: The Washington Capitals activate Mark Scheifele from the injured reserve Assignment: The Washington Capitals assign Pontus Holmberg to the AHL Updated Lines: C. Verhaeghe - M. Scheifele - W. Nylander M.Hoffman - E. Kuznetsov - S. Noesen A. Mantha - A. Henrique - L. O'Connor M. Wood - P. Engvall - C. Smith A. Cogliano D. Toews - B. Dillon N. Zadorov - R. Suter E. Martinsen-Lilleberg - J. Holl M. Staal - I. Phillips A. Vasilevskiy D. Kuemper

Here!