In The Hours Before Game 1 Of The "New" Pens'/Caps' Rivarly ..

As the Pittsburgh Penguins kick off their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series in a 1 PM nationally-televised NBC contest against their long-time rivals, early tactical decisions are already being made in the series.

I mentioned yesterday that it looks like Penguins' coach Dan Bylsma will go with RW Miroslav Satan, and continue -- for now, anyway -- to keep RW Petr Sykora in the press box.

On the Washington side, my "Capitals Insider" tells me that Caps' coach Bruce Boudreau is going to start the series with veteran center Sergei Federov centering Alexander Ovechkin, rather than have young set-up man Nicklas Backstrom to it. Boudreau went with that combination in game 7 against the Rangers and it led to the Capitals' late game-winner by Federov in the 3rd period.

Maybe that's why Boudreau is going to stick with it?

Regardless of the reason, my insider says that having Federov center Ovechkin will be an advantage for Pittsbugh for however long Boudreau goes with it because Federov can't skate, or even dish the biscuit, like Backstrom can.

Time will tell. I certainly wouldn't expect Boudreau to keep those 2 together if Ovechkin isn't getting his chances. Either way, the Penguins will have to watch Ovechkin every time he steps over the boards because, if they don't, he could single-handledly change the course of the playoff history between these two clubs and finally give Capitals' fans something to cheer about.

Let's face it. No Penguin fan can approach a series against the Washington Capitals without fond memories:

Petr Nedved's 4-OT winner.

Changing your system after being down 3-games-to-1 and coming back to win the series.

So many things have occurred in the storied playoff history between these two clubs, it's hard to even recount everything.

In speaking to the Penguins' post-season dominance over the Capitals over the years, these pieces say it all:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_623312.html

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/02/blasted-in-the-past/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/01/AR2009050104170.html

Today we start to find out what this series adds to that legacy.

Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be legendary.

Let's just hope it plays out like it has in the past.

Let's Go Pens.