Morning Links: TSN’s Pens Offseason Look, Smith-Pelly to Skip White House

Imagine, for one day much of Washington D.C. will be united (no soccer pun intended). Pittsburgh Penguins fans may remember their day well; Game 5 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. There were 18,000 fans inside the arena and over 20,000 fans outside the arena. The moment proved too large for the Penguins who admitted to being distracted by the spectacle.

Now, it’s the Washington Capitals fans turn to pace, to attempt to look busy in the office when all they can talk about is the Stanley Cup, and for their heart to thump like a bass drum, all day. Tonight is Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final and the Capitals could win the Stanley Cup, on the road in Las Vegas.

Imagine a Stanley Cup party in Vegas?! The Capitals are trying hard to not imagine–L.A. Times writer Helene Elliott asked them anyway. Read it here. 

Credit Jasper’s Rink, a credentialed Capitals blog, for taking a moment to eat crow on one of their opinions which didn’t age well (but was reasonable when written). Read here–The Capitals Should Fire Barry Trotz…Revisited 

Funny thing–Trotz may not be the coach of the Capitals next season. His contract expires after this season. How many dollars could a defending Stanley Cup coach command?

Over 70,000 people tried to get tickets to the Capitals Watch Party. 70,000. Capital One Arena and surrounding area will be such a madhouse that the DC Metro, which loathes staying open an extra hour, will indeed stay open.

However, if the Capitals win, Devante Smith-Pelly will skip the White House visit. Story from TSN here. Hey, don’t blame the messenger.

Sportsnet takes a look at why Marc-Andre Fleury is getting bombed (Spoiler–the Capitals puck movement).

TSN’s Scott Cullen also delved into the Penguins potential offseason and potential trades. Beware, measured takes here.

And the Vegas Golden Knights could make more lineup changes tonight. Ryan Reaves could get a seat–the venerable Sean O’Rourke has coverage.