Backstrom: Capitals are underdogs against Penguins
After finishing first overall in the NHL standings, it doesn't seem possible that the Washington Capitals could enter the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as underdogs.
However, that's exactly what center Nicklas Backstrom seems to think as his team gets ready to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
By the way, Backstrom said the Caps are "underdogs" against Pittsburgh, since the Pens are defending champs. Found that interesting.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 24, 2017
Sure, the Capitals finished seven points ahead of the Penguins this season, but Pittsburgh did eliminate Washington from the playoffs last year as well as in 2009, going on to win the Cup on both occasions.
The Capitals were also given all they could handle by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round, while the Penguins disposed of the Columbus Blue Jackets rather easily.
Still, Washington will have home-ice advantage in the series and boasts a fairly healthy roster that's about to face one missing star defenseman Kris Letang.
While they may consider themselves to be underdogs, this could and probably should be the year the Capitals advance to the conference finals for the first time in the Alex Ovechkin era.