I stated during game one that the Penguins were a better team, they pass better, are quicker, and as long as they could stay out of the penalty box, i.e. 5 v 5 they would win the series. Looks like I was slightly wrong, while they have gone to the sin bin several times over the last 2 or 3 games, the Capitals have not capitalized (pun intended). Why such a significant dropoff in performance from regular season to playoff hockey?

Ovi has but disappeared in this series. Backtrom is winning face offs but has not performed his usually passing and "point guard" moves that he did during regular season.

Please don't solely blame the coaches, the coaches have changed the core players is the same, and the results are the same.

So what is it? Killer instinct, lack of focus? What?

My opinion it gets back to focus AND their style of play. I call them the Indianapolis Colts (of the Peyton years) as they seem to play a wide open style of hockey during the regular season which does not translate to playoff time. Playoff time is grind, manufacture goals, crash the net, borderline dirty style of hockey. I don't mean dirty as in cheap-shot I mean dirty as in blocking pucks, maybe a little goalie interference aka gray area. Thoughts? Differing opinions?

HokieForever