commentary...

Ovechkin vs Stamkos... people may think that this is a series of high offense,and no defense? Wrong!!! Alexander Ovechkin may be the most talented offensive player,in the NHL,right now,but Steven Stamkos is right behind him in that sort of talk... Tampa Bay has many players,who can "light the lamp"(score),and so does Washington,but the simple key,is,"stop Ovechkin,or Stamkos",both teams have the upper hand,if they do that... however,both teams have improved on team defense,in Washington's case,they even have fewer goals scored than last year,and their goaltending tandem(Michal Neuvirth,Semyon Varlamov)are two very young,but very good goaltenders,and Washington has a little edge,in offense,and goaltending,but also has a very big chip on their shoulders,after winning the President's Trophy(best in NHL),last year,and then losing to Montreal,in a,for them,total embarrassment,because they dominated the regular season,last year,and they got kicked in the teeth,by the Canadiens... so they are not going to let that happen again... Tampa Bay can win series,but have to do one thing to do it-irritate Neuvirth,and get Washington off their game,mentally... good for Tampa Bay,a divisional opponent,so they know how to play them,and bad for Tampa Bay,Washington knows how to play them,and knows how to beat them... interesting series!!!!!!