Beck Malenstyn
I have to begin with Buffalo forward Beck Malenstyn. Former Caps 5th round pick in 2016, traded to the Sabres for a 2nd rounder in 2024, is a solid role player in Buffalo’s bottom six. Had seven goals and seven assists this year and had 21 points in 82 games for the Capitals in 2024. Buffalo ended their 14-year playoff drought this year and are a great story. Lindy Ruff is still a great coach. Malenstyn has an assist and Buffalo leads the series 2-1.
John Carlson
I would have put Carlson first, but I wanted to fill everyone with warm fuzzy feelings about Buffalo first. It still stings to think that John is being forced to wear bright orange. (No offense, Ducks fans. I’m still adjusting.) Carlson had an assist in the Ducks game one win. The series is tied with Game 3 tonight.
Lars Eller
Tiger! Eller played only seven minutes the other night and the Senators are one loss away from the offseason. I doubt he and the Sens have a chance against a much deeper team in the Canes. Maybe the Senators catch fire, and Tiger gets a chance to score another goal like the one on June 7th, 2018. The guy will never have to pay for dinner again in the DMV.
Nick Dowd
Dowder was a great Cap, and it’s hard to watch him play in a Vegas sweater. He has a goal in the series and apparently was upset with Utah’s Logan Cooley for a cheap shot. I would love to see Dowd hoist the Cup.
Nate Schmidt
Schmidt is a 13-year veteran who signed with the Capitals out of the University of Minnesota back in 2014. He was selected by Vegas in the expansion draft in 2017 who finally got his name inscribed on Lord Stanley’s Cup with Florida last summer. Now, he is playing in the first playoff series for the Mammoth.
Garnett Hathaway
Hathaway is playing for the Flyers as they have taken a surprising 3-0 lead against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Hathaway has a goal and an assist as the Flyers look to (dare I say it) sweep the Pens in Philly on Saturday? I know what I will be staying up real late here in Germany to watch in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Anthony Mantha
Mantha is über skilled. I was excited when the Caps traded Jakob Vrana and a first-round pick to Detroit for him back in 2021. Mantha was injured for most of this time in DC before he was traded. That first round pick turned into Wyatt Johnson, who is tied for the playoff lead in scoring with 5 points for the Stars. Mantha is the best at chewing on his mouthpiece though.
Radko Gudas
Many may have forgotten that the Gudas played in Washington for 63 games during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. He’s now the Captain of the Ducks. Gudas is famous for ending Auston Matthews season this year with a knee-on-knee collision. He and Carlson and the Ducks are tied 1-1 with Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Darcy Kuemper
The Kings face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, where Darcy Kuemper has been on the bench while Anton Forsberg started all three games for the Kings. LA is down 3-0 and Kuemper may not see the crease. He was the Avs goalie when they won the Cup back in 2022.
Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek is enjoying the first NHL playoff series in Utah. He is one of the better backups in the NHL. He hasn’t seen the ice yet this postseason.
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