It took 82 games and then we had to wait even after the Capps final game to find it out.

But now we know, Alan, it's Caps, Cains, round one, your initial thoughts.

Well, you know, it's, you never count anyone out.

You have to take everyone seriously.

But this was the matchup we were kind of hoping for.

Sometimes just be careful what you hope for, careful what you wish for.

We saw that in 2010 when they played the Montreal Canadians who were eighth place in that last

wild card. And you've just got to respect the hurricanes, a rookie coach, a couple of goaltenders

never heard of, kind of confident that the cap should be able to clean this one out.

But Ryan, Billy, your honest reactions that was going on inside as time was ticking down

and it looked very much like it was going to be, Caps, Penguins, round one.

I have to admit, and I thought it had left my DNA.

I thought it had been extracted from my my psyche because I never thought they would play

the penguins. And then they were playing the penguins. And that thing in my stomach went,

but I think, I will say, I think some of it is a little bit of just sort of normal

re-g-reflects from 20 years. I think a lot of it, though, you know that series would go seven

games. You know every game's going to be crazy. Correct. I don't want that. I don't need that right now. I just don't need that in my life. I don't need that in my life right now. Well, best news, we don't have that. It's Caps Cains round one after sleepwalking through the regular season finale.

It's the Capitals Talk podcast.

I'm Rob Curlin.

It starts right now.

Little give and go.

And the Islanders have some insurance on a deflection.

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