Burnside and LeBrun: Making the case for our MVP picks

This year marks the first time the Hart Trophy has three Russian finalists: Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin. But our experts believe it's a two-man race. Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun make the case for their MVP votes.

Burnside: 'Expectation' takes on new meaning in Penguins-Canes series

The Canes pulled off two upsets to reach the East finals. The Pens fought through two emotional series. Will either team have trouble getting motivated to play each other?

Page 2: Seventh heaven

Page 2 preps you for Penguins-Capitals Game 7 with 7-squared items to whet your appetite.

LeBrun: Capitals still don't know how to win the big game

There isn't one player or moment to pin to the Capitals' disappointing playoff finish. The blame can be shared collectively.

May 13, 2009; Washington, DC, USA; From left to right, Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Semin (28), left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), center Nicklas Backstrom (19), right wing Chris Clark (17), center...

Burnside: Keys to Game 7 for Penguins and Capitals

The Penguins and Capitals take the ice for Game 7 on Wednesday. Scott Burnside looks at the keys for each club.

First-period report: Caps show no urgency in opening frame

...attendance. This morning, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau was saying he wasn't sure how to get Alexander Semin to bust out of his shell, and the first period provided more of the same from...

Second-period report: Caps show better effort, but late goal stings

...in Game 1 but hadn't scored since, put the Capitals ahead on a pass from Alexander Semin with 5:18 left in the second. The goal was on a delayed penalty call thanks...

Caps force Game 7 with overtime win vs. Pens

David Steckel scored on a deflection of Brooks Laich's shot and the Capitals finally won an overtime playoff game, beating nemesis Pittsburgh 5-4 on Monday night to force a Game 7.

Washington Capitals again looking for more scoring help in do-or-die Game 6

...15 goals in this series. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau would specifically like to see more from Alexander Semin, whose contributions have declined as the series has progressed. "I have no idea what's behind...

Burnside: As if this Capitals-Penguins series could end any other way

And so, the perfect matchup becomes the perfect series. As if the duel between the Capitals and Penguins could end any other way.

Burnside: We're catching our breath at the Caps-Pens series

As the Penguins and Capitals tried to catch their breath during their series off day, we look ahead to a pivotal Game 6 in Pittsburgh.

Classic series may reach crescendo in Game 6

It may not have ended with a magical moment, what with Evgeni Malkin's attempted pass bouncing off the stick of sprawling defenseman Tom Poti and into the Washington Capitals' net in overtime, but make no mistake: This was a classic through and through.

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, right, blocks the puck against Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Semin (28), from Russia, during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey second-round...

Chat about the NHL playoffs!

Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, with all of the great series in the NHL playoffs, we'll bring Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside by to break everythi...