It's been a week since the Penguins have played...It's only felt like a month. But that should be a good thing since guys a little banged up should be about as close to 100% as you'll see for the playoffs.
If you're a student of history, you surely know that the Pens carry a 6-1 playoff series advantage over the Caps. Since the last playoff series was in 2001, and no players that really were involved in it will be around this time (save Sergei Gonchar, who's changed sides) I think the history means more to the fans than players. The Peerless found a cool stat though, the Caps actually own Game 1 against the Penguins, the Pens have lost 6 of 7 Game 1's to the Caps. Take it for what it's worth.
Here's a look at the Caps line from practice yesterday --though it wouldn't be surprising at all if they tweak the forward combinations before/during the game.
Ovechkin-Fedorov-Kozlov
Fleischmann-Backstrom-Semin
Laich-Steckel-Bradley
Clark-Gordon-Fehr
Morrisonn-Green
Erskine-Pothier
Poti-Jurcina
Expect Michael Nylander and Jeff Schultz to be scratches. Donald Brashear, of course, is suspended and won't be eligible to play until Game 6, if we get to that point. Speaking of Brashear, if you have a few minutes before game-time, read this piece from the Washington Post. It's amazing what he's been through.
The cards are all out there, the table is set. It's Pens/Caps time.