[canuck_conservative]

Caps will have their hands full with Tampa Bay, they’re looking really good right now.

As usual with playoff hockey, it will all come down to the goaltending ... is Holtby in his groove?

[jyo19]

The fact that they did it without Backstrom and Wilson is really, really impressive. Ovi showed he’s one hell of a playmaker with that breakaway assist, too. I’m sure Pens fans and Russian haters will still say he’s one-dimensional, of course.

[Alberta's Child]

Actually, playoff hockey hasn't come down to goaltending in a long time. Look how many teams have won the Stanley Cup in recent years after benching their starting goalie in the playoffs.

Playoff hockey is all about roster depth, chemistry, and big-game players now.

[Alberta's Child]

P.S. -- Goaltending hasn't been critical in several years because there is such a small gap between the best goalies in the league and the average goalies. It's become a position where you really only notice the bad ones!

That's why you don't see too many teams giving huge contracts to goalies anymore, either. Why spend $8.5 million on a guy like Henrik Lundqvist when Matt Murray can win you a Stanley Cup for $3.5 million?

[dfwgator]

Vegas looked real good last night. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but right now, they might be the team to beat.