COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the third straight postseason, it'll be the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division semifinals.
"Here we go," declared center Nicklas Backstrom after the Capitals eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 6-3 Game 6 victory on Monday night. The Penguins also won in six games, eliminating the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.
Backstrom was asked if the Capitals enter this showdown as the underdog, despite winning the Metro Division.
"Yeah, but it doesn't really matter if we're underdogs or not," he said.