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I'm 2-0 on my picks for tonight so far but my Wild pick ain't looking good right now.

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Ottawa!!!

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Here ya go. Live HD stream.

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Got it at the bar

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The average boy at summer camp pulls the goalie quicker than Minnesota

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Wow Anaheim is owning this 3rd period here. Jets can't get anything started

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Really don't want this game to go to OT

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Really a shame about Winnipeg. Really wanted to see them win a series.

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I wanted to see them win a game. I said before I didn't want them to pull a Thrashers and get swept....whoops.

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Yeah, that's dumb. Only thing I am looking ahead to is the next game.

The only thing I have mentioned about a possible round 2 is that I hoped the Rag$ series went long so that "IF" the Islanders advance, the Rangers don't have too much rest. And I was saying that all along, even prior to game 1. I knew our series would go long, win or lose.

Speaking of our series, it was nice of Brooks Laich to applaud the penalty and subsequent injury to Vis saying it was a good penalty to take. Add him to the list.

Islanders are clearly still not happy about the hit and I believe, even though many are young and inexperienced, they will use that energy in the right direction towards positive play and not worry about any kind of payback. There will be a time and place for that. They will be focused on the task at hand.

I'm just happy to watch the game live tonight after watching 3 of the first 4 on the DVR because I worked until 9pm.

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It was a clean hit.

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Isles better stay focused. Don't get caught up in the hit and/or revenge.

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:lol:lol

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I don't believe that for a moment. Vis had clearly been a target of theirs. With no Hamonic, they know it is a huge drop off to our 8th D. I won't say they have been looking to take him out but I bet they saw him as one hard hit, borderline dirty, dirty or whatever from being done and they found a way to get it done. The hit that sent to locker room on Sunday should have been an interference call and wasn't. At least the puck was closer to him to Tuesday.
Hockey can be a mean, tough sport and we saw it on Tuesday.

I just hope the Isles use it as motivation tonight in the right direction.

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Not going to lie, it's sort of satisfying seeing former Sabres not succeed on their new teams ;) Of course, I did like Stafford quite a bit in his years with Buffalo.

And...

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

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hoping the caps win this series so we can beat them in the playoffs for a 4th straight year (or whatever).

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You did blow that 3-1 lead to them that one year...

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i dont think rangers/islanders or rangers/caps will be a very good series.

i haven't been impressed at all with either of those teams. such a damn shame CBJ had all those injuries.

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I think it's extremely short sighted to dismiss out of pocket areoshady's buddy's ability to jinx the islanders. I think it's entirely possible and from the evidence, may have already happened.

We'll find out more on this tonight of course.

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forgot we didnt play them last year. bummer.
they beat us 4-1 in '11

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Dinglebury, I mean, Milbury ran the team for years. There is nothing us fans could do that would be worse than what the owner and management did for years.

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Grabovski officially activated. Someone else with a concussion history that the Caps can target, assuming he will play. Wish it was Hamonic, though, to be honest.

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Rangers beat the Caps the last 2 times and Caps won the previous 2.

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The only edge I'm hoping plays out is that the caps have been there and lost so many times recently that maybe experience will be a factor for them.

They have come out dead flat in every game though and that's just not a winning formula. Out shot and out hit is no way to go through life.

Homer comment of the day coming, and give credit to the Isles, but I don't think we've seen close to the best hockey the caps can play. Brouwer and Johansson need some points and hopefully Fehr comes back soon.

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Still stinging from last night. Pens just don't have it this year. Blah. But Rags/Caps or Rags/Isles would be both be good, competitive series.

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Laich didn't applaud the fact that Visnovsky got injured. Come on man

It was pretty clean. The only issues are the closeness of the puck and the fact that it ended up being a head hit (though he didn't target the head, don't even try to say he did)

:lol :lol :lol

Man, if the Islanders are focused on this bullshit as much as you are it should be a pretty smooth night for the Caps

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Come on, you know I'm not a sensationalist.
I'm not saying it wasn't a clean hit. By definition of a clean hit, it was, but I hardly think that's the point.

The point is, it was a charge from a pretty good distance against a player who wasn't involved with the puck. It was just really unnecessary.

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He stopped skating. Didn't see much of a charge. He's allowed to accelerate as long as he stops skating before delivering the hit. Also Visnovsky was absolutely involved with the puck. Not sure what you're talking about there.

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clean hits on clean hits on clean hits

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They also beat you in 09. The Rangers are exactly 2-2 in playoff series vs the Caps since the Ovie era started. Hardly the dominance Rangers fans like to pretend it is.

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You just wait

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Completly differnt teams in those two early series we lost. Other than Hank, are there even any Rangers left on the team from that era? Caps better worry about the Icelanders before worrying about us.

I don't really care that much who wins your series. We still need to close out the Pens before I look ahead. That said, even though I honeslty believe a series against the Caps favors the Rangers more, I think am pulling for the Icelanders. Rivialry match-ups are scary becasue of the uncertaintity, but what a buzz in New York if the Rangers play the Icelanders!

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Oh there is no reason to think the Caps are concerned about the Rangers. Was just saying Rangers fans like to pretend they own the Caps in the playoffs. Which simply isn't true

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Man, I wish I'd been in this thread the past few days. Loved backreading.

1) The Wilson hit was clean. 2 minutes was about right, if only for the refs to keep things from coming off the rails. He didn't target (but he is 6 inches taller, and Vis had his head down). Vis was trying to play the puck, but kind of gave up when he saw Wilson coming, and by that point Wilson was locked in. Wilson glided into the hit, and didn't leave his feet. He kept his elbows in. See this.

2) Laich's comments were dumb. He was fine right up until he talked about it being a good penalty because it brought the Isles down to 5 defensemen. That was stupid, and doesn't really seem like Laich, but I can't defend what he said.

3) Islanders players and fans need to stop crying about the hit (no one in here specifically, mainly other places I've seen). Okposo is no angel. Tavares can't talk about playing the game "the right way" with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck on the team. And as for the fans, if that hit had been Clutterbuck on Green, they'd be calling for a Clutterbuck statue to be built.

4) Tonight should be interesting. The Isles are too smart to take dumb penalties against Wilson, although they might be able to get some 4-on-4 play if they want. Wilson was one of the best players in the league this year at drawing penalties, and he's fairly good about not retaliating, but refs will often take him too mainly because of his reputation.

5) I'm going to the game tonight. So pumped/nervous. I can hardly concentrate at work. A few of my buddies are heading up to the Coliseum on Saturday, and I'm really, really tempted to join them.

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Nobody "owns" anybody in the playoffs. Past series sucess is probably the most useless statistic when it comes to playoffs haha. The only thing that matters is that year.

That said, how much do you like the Caps chances should they play the Rangers in round 2? Who would you say the favorite would be?

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Rangers are the easy favorite. No question

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Is that supposed to be a trick question? I'm a Caps fan, and anyone who says the Caps would be the favorite is dumb. The Rangers were the hottest team down the stretch, had the best record in the league, are deep, and have two all-world goalies. Of course they'd be the favorite. Same vs the Islanders.

But anyone who's watched the NHL for any amount of time knows that favorites in the NHL playoffs (and home ice) matter less than in basically any other sport. Anything can happen. It's why the Kings didn't care about their seeding last year, they knew all they had to do was make it into the playoffs (and that mentality is likely what cost them a spot this year).

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Big game tonight for the Wings. Need to take control and go up 3-1. Don't want to go back to Tampa 2-2 with 2 of the final 3 (if needed) being down there.

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Oh I agree. I would expect NY to win that series. I wouldn't be shocked if they didn't though. This is the NHL playoffs!

All you can hope for is that if your team is favored they pull through!

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Fully want Detroit to move on! Would love to see Tampa bow out. Plus the girlfriend would be in a good mood haha.


Also, unrelated...Jets need to win a cup. I just watched the highlights from last night. That crowd rules!

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I want the Wings to win a series or two just to make things with Babcock more interesting.

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The longer they go, the more likely it is he stays, imo. Maybe I'm wrong but just my feeling.

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No, I agree with you. I think if they make the ECF, he's back. But it's definitely not a sure thing, and it just delays everything. I think everyone is going to wait on him before anything moves with McLellan, Julien, etc. I don't think any of the Leafs, Sabres, Flyers, Sharks, or Oilers will hire a coach until Babcock makes a decision, and the Bruins won't make a decision on Julien until then either. That's my gut. I could be totally wrong.

The one exception is that the Oilers might move earlier if they hire Chiarelli (who was apparently in Edmonton yesterday) and MacTavish moves down behind the bench.

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hopefully the Hawks can win tonight and STL-Minnesota can go seven. that would give the Hawks probably a week or more off

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Oh yeah no coaching jobs get filled until Babcock is wherever he is going to be. I just want it done because of all the speculating. My feeling is he's gone, unless like I said they go on a long run.

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Sorry, I was being too loose with my words. I should have said what Bobalew did below, in that he gave up on going after the puck when he saw him coming, so it just seemed to me like Wilson could've pulled back on the charge.

But I absolutely understand it's easy to judge it like that watching replays over and over, I'm also understandably biased, and it's more than fair to say in real-time it would've been hard to put the brakes on that hit.
Again, I don't think it was dirty at all.

That's awesome dude, sounds like you're in for a great game, no matter the outcome. Coliseum has been a mad house this week.
And solid point about Clutterbuck.

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if the wings beat the lightning tim should be banned from this thread for at least a week for how whiny he was going into the playoffs.

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If Brohan doesn't get banned for...well everything, I'm not going anywhere.

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:lol well i meant a self imposed ban, point taken though.

here's a bold prediction: if ottawa wins game 5 they win the series.

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:lol :lol

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I wish, but I doubt it. Habs will be in the eastern finals IMO.

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Good reason you didn't play us last year: we didn't make the playoffs :(

While drinking and driving is fucking dumb, if the Caps manage to escape this series, I may have to take that quote out of my signature for a while. You know, on principle and stuff. Can't be quoting a Rangers fan during that series :D

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:lol

i'm keeping an eye on the AMEX presale should we both be in line to win. you plan on going?

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Barring unforeseen circumstances, I plan to be at every Caps home game this postseason.

I live 4 blocks from the Verizon Center, so I always feel weird when the team is playing there and I'm not in the building. You can find me in the Alley Bar at Clyde's next to the arena before just about every game.

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I wish Rangers fans didn't have to morgage a house to be able to say the same for our home games...

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season ticket holder?
I live at 15 & Q NW so I'm not too far

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Oh I'd be in that situation too for sure. I'm lucky. My dad has season tickets, I'm the only one of his three kids who lives here, and my mom doesn't like going to games. So I go with him. He pays for the tickets, I pay for the beer (and he never has more than one a game).

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Sounds like a good deal to me. I have not been to a hockey game with my dad in over 10 years. Would love to go to a game with him again.....except he is a Devils fan :lol

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In the interview, Laich said “What [the hit] did was Visnovsky got put out of the game and that puts them down to five ‘D’ in the second period.” Laich then added, “it’s a quote-unquote good penalty to take.”

If he wasn't happy about the injury, I guess he needed to choose his words more carefully, no? This wasn't in the heat of the moment post game or during game. This was an interview next day. It sure reads that Laich was patting Wilson on the back for injuring an opposing player, a head injury no less, and taking him out of the game. And I am not convinced it wasn't part of their plan. I'm sorry. I am pretty sure most agree Laich is an idiot for what he said.


As for tonight it sounds like Reinhart is definitely in and Isles will dress 7 D for warm ups, which means there is a chance they would scratch another D like De Haan and play both kids, Pulock and Reinhart, who should know each other well and work well together. Our 2 young first rounders might get a taste of the playoffs tonight.

It also sounds like Grabovski will be in for Nelson, which is a little surprising but Cappy like Kennedy and Nelson really hasn't done much outside the first goal of the playoffs.

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So you're saying it was a clean hit...

But then laughed when I said it was a clean hit?

Just checking for a friend.

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friend here
checks out

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he's one of the worst posters on this site, you'll have to get used to it.

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I laughed at whether or not it being a "clean" hit was the issue.

Have you gotten used to it yet? You gonna be okay with me sticking around?

What are you, in your thirties?
Grow up, Drew.

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I understand what Laich said but there is no good way to word it unfortunately.

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Really wish the fans in Winnipeg would have got at least one home playoff win.

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I was really pulling for them last night too.
I have nothing invested in either team, but I found myself groaning whenever Winnipeg flubbed something.

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im not in my thirties. thank you for your advice anyhow.

ya me too, hopefully they'll be back next year

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I still don't believe he meant it as "I'm glad Lubomir Visnovsky is injured" but I understand your point. It was poorly worded on his part.

And quite honestly I think Laich is an idiot for many reasons. Tremendously overrated hockey player.

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I really like Laich. I don't know that he's overrated. Overpaid? Definitely. But when he's healthy, I like what he brings to the team.

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Dramatically overpaid. Mostly unproductive. He's a good leader in the room, that's about as deep as it goes. Occasionally he'll surprise with a nice play. He's ok for what he is I guess but pretending he's anything more than an average third line player is just wrong IMO.

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Same here in Chicago. I'm really going to try and sneak a game in if they make it to the end. Tickets are like $400 for nose bleeds though.

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How exactly was it NOT the issue? Isn't that what all the Islanders people are so pissed off about?

Tickets were $850ish for Stanley Cup finals last year in the nose bleeds. Sucked. Had they not been down 3-0 I would have paid for at least one game though haha

I'm not sure why Icelanders fans are pissed. They have been the better team for most of the series IMO. Caps have had moments of dominating, but for the most part the Icelanders have looked pretty good.

I wouldn't be happy or pissed if I was a fan of either team though. Caps have experience and home ice, NYI have the better overall play so far. Should be a fun final 2-3 games!

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Brooksy used quotes around "good hit", saying that in regard to NY being down a defenseman, in that regard it was a "good hit", implying again, in that regard the outcome was favorable to his team.

This is a whatever. If he hadn't been skating with his head down maybe he protects himself.

Brooks is a class guy and a great Cap. He gave his opinion on if the team ultimately benefited from the guy getting hurt.

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I can see it. They've played close so to win game 5 and come home... Could do it.

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Would it help if we got Wilson a siren so everyone knew he was coming?

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:lol:lol:lol

I've got a brand-spanking new Wilson bobblehead on my desk as of this week. I traded a pint of my blood for it last weekend.

Don't tell me I won't bleed for this team ;)

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Yeah I'm not so sure why they're pissed off either. I personally think the Islanders fourth line is awesome and I love the way they play. It's kinda similar to the way Tom Wilson plays. Good, hard, agitating hockey. Wilson's an animal, but he doesn't play dirty. At least no dirtier than Clutterbuck or Martin.

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So much this. I was arguing with an Islanders fan on twitter the other day (because I'm an idiot and engaged instead of ignoring), and on the subject of Wilson, his argument was "Wilson is a dirty player and no one on the Islanders is. You don't know hockey. Watch Matt Martin play one shift."

Granted, the same guy was arguing that Wilson's hit was dirty because he left his feet. When I asked him to show me where, exactly, Wilson left his feet, he posted a still image after impact where Wilson's skates were lifting due to impact/Wilson falling down. And in the frame, Wilson's right foot and left toe were still on the ice.

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Chicago better win tonight or Isles get bumped to 3 on Saturday. I am working all day so I'd have to watch another game on the dvr, this time much after it's over since I guess it would start at 3.

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it's the playoffs, teams target players all the time. sometimes they get hurt, sometimes they don't. If you can't deal with it, don't watch the sport.

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http://gfycat.com/GreenFatalCrocodileskink

Keith's double give and go to set up a scoring chance in game 4.

I love Dunc.

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When a well liked guy gets his career possibly ended by being targeted, I get a little angry about. I can deal just fine. Thanks

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I love fresh meat in this thread.

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Let's go Wings tonight. Me and the girlfriends are sitting back to watch the game now!

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Is it ok to root for both the Caps and the Lightning? I mean, I've been a Caps fan for a while, but I live in Tampa and don't have any serious issues with the Lightning, because I don't take NHL rivalries THAT seriously. I'd like to see both of them win and move on.

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Lots of empty seats at Verizon tonight. It's very noticeable on TV

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Totally missed hand pass on the first Islanders goal. Ref was standing right there. How does he not see that.

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Too bad the caps need to go into this battle without Erskine

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Might be traffic. Islanders were stuck in Obama traffic and got there 90 minutes before game time.

Needed that first goal. Didn't want to play from behind tonight.

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Holy heck! What a shootout :lol

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Kuzy!!!!!!!!!

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More hits going on right now than on 4/20

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Nyquist needs to stop sucking. He's too good for this.

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NYI at Caps HD Youtube stream

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DET/TBL HD YouTube stream

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There is Nyquist.

There ya go haha

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The fuck is it with Halak vs the Caps in the playoffs. Good lord.