The set-up: The 49-26-7 Washington Capitals didn't win the Presidents' Trophy this season (entered the season off back-to-back wins) but the team's 105 points were enough for them to capture their third consecutive Metropolitan Division title. Few teams can match the regular-season success of the Washington Capitals in recent years but Alex Ovechkin and company are more concerned with erasing a lengthy history of playoff flops. The Capitals have not been to the Stanley Cup Final since 1998 and have been drummed out of the playoffs in the second round in each of the past three seasons. The Capitals seemed to insist that they have less pressure this postseason than in years past, perhaps as a result of failing to win the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in three years. However, after winning 12 of 15 games heading into the playoffs, the Capitals once again were a Game 1 flop, losing 4-3 at home in OT to the Blue Jackets, a franchise which has never won a postseason series.

Columbus: The Blue Jackets finished eight points behind Washington,after closing on a 13-2-2 run to reach the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time as the East's No. 1 wild card team. The Blue Jackets were unable to get their offense un-tracked for much of the season but a trio of trade-deadline acquisitions were vital in the late-season surge. Columbus picked up forwards Thomas Vanek, Mark Letestu and defenseman Ian Cole. Columbus averaged more than a goal per game following the deals. Former Calder Trophy winner Artemi Panarin (franchise-record 82 points) scored 6:02 into overtime to cap his three-point performance for Columbus. Panarin became the first player in franchise history with three points in a playoff game."We traded away a really good player in (Brandon Saad) to get (Panarin)," Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella told NHL.com. "A different type of player, a guy that makes something out of nothing. Makes a great play on the tying goal and scores just a goal that a lot of people can't score in this league. That's sometimes the difference between winning and losing." Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner with 78 wins the last two seasons, stopped 27 shots for Columbus
Washington: Speaking of goaltenders, head coach Barry Trotz decided to bypass longtime No. 1 netminder Braden Holtby in favor of backup Philipp Grubauer for Game 1. He made his second postseason start in Game 1, allowing four goals on 27 shots for a poor .853 SP! That being said, former Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby will remain on the proverbial sideline as Philipp Grubauer has been confirmed to start in Game 2. "There was nothing in (Thursday's) game that you'd say, 'Why didn't you make a change?'" Trotz said of Grubauer, who has posted a 2.06 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in his last 31 games. "Philipp's been really good, and I thought in that game, we had the game and we kept letting them off the floor." The Capitals could have their entire roster healthy Sunday if fourth-line center Jay Beagle returns after missing Game 1 with an upper-body injury. In addition to his face-off prowess, Beagle plays significant time on the penalty kill. He practiced Saturday and said he hopes to play.

The pick: I've never trusted the Caps (how can anyone?) but this sure feels like a game they should win. Bobrovsky was solid in net for Columbus in Game 1 but note he had a 3.04 goals-against average and .868 save percentage versus the Capitals in four regular season games. I'm hoping (betting) that the faith Trotz has in Grubauer is well-founded. Make Columbus an 88 play.