First Down

Thursday’s Best Bet on Television

In Game 5, Pittsburgh looks to send Philadelphia home for the summer. 7 p.m., Versus

LOCAL POWER RANKINGS: WHO’S GENERATING BUZZ IN THE D.C. AREA?

SIMEON VARLAMOV

Regardless of how the Capitals fare this postseason, they’ve found their starting goalie for next year. The kid is that good.

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN

Despite a small crowd, the Nationals’ top prospect provided the downtrodden team a lift with a solid effort in his big league debut.

BLAKE GRIFFIN

The Wizards have hired their coach (Flip Saunders), and they can make his job easier by winning the lottery and drafting the Oklahoma stud.

JASON CAMPBELL

First Jay Cutler and now Mark Sanchez. Redskins owner Dan Snyder continues to search for a replacement when the best option is right under his nose.

SCOTTIE REYNOLDS

After leading Villanova to the Final Four, the Herndon native has declared for the NBA Draft (but has not hired an agent).

TWT FIVE: BAD DECISIONS THE REDSKINS COULD MAKE AT THE DRAFT

1. Trade up to draft Mark Sanchez — He’s going to be a solid quarterback, but the price (undoubtedly next year’s first-round pick) is too high.

2. Take Andre Smith — The big Alabama offensive tackle may not be available anyway, but the Redskins need outside linebacker and defensive end help now.

3. Draft a receiver — Enough said.

4. Select a defensive end with no history of sacks — Getting pressure on the quarterback is where the Redskins struggled last year.

5. Trade out of the first round — The Redskins need immediate help, and that means drafting a player who can contribute right away.