What a series this has been.

Not just for Penguins fans or Capitals fans.

This has been a great series for hockey, and this has been a fantastic series for the NHL.

The Pens-Caps series has everything a hockey fan could possibly want.

You want a marquee rivalry? The Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry speaks for itself. It's easily the biggest thing in the NHL at the moment, and it's only further magnified by the antagonistic nature of one Evgeni Malkin in Crosby's corner over the past year.

You want great defense? This series has it. With three overtimes so far, the defense and goaltending has been absolutely lights out. The players are checking hard, there have been some amazing saves, and the Penguins will be returning Sergei Gonchar to the ice tonight.

You want high-scoring madness? Somewhat paradoxically, this series has that as well. This fact was perhaps best illustrated when Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby both scored hat tricks...in the same game!

Are you only watching for the chance of a fight? Go watch a boxing match and never disgrace a hockey rink with your presence again.

This series has been absolutely epic so far. It's the marquee matchup of the NHL. It has the games two biggest stars going head to head, and in perhaps the best thing to happen to the NHL's beleaguered commissioner all year, it's managed to go to game seven. It's almost a shame that it has to end tonight.

This series alone could help to bring hockey to the mainstream after the strike. The interest it draws to these two teams could easily trickle down to fans seeing things like the Ducks taking the mighty Red Wings so deep into the series. It could draw attention to the Blackhawks, and exciting young team that's set up to be a contender for a long, long time.

In other words, folks...get your popcorn ready.