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Washington Capitals Blogger •
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
In the last 2 seasons under Bruce Boudreau, the Washington Capitals have gone 5-1 in the post-season when facing elimination games.
Of course, all it takes is one loss in an elimination game and you get the luxury of booking the next available tee time. But, with an impressive ability to stave off elimination, the Caps may be in a position they favor.
They did not respond when given 3 opportunities to put this second round series on ice and now they are the ones who are in danger.
There have been few discrepancies between both the Penguins and Capitals thus far through 6 games, yet 3 wins in a row has the Pens in the lead.
The Penguins have battled hard and as a result have earned 3 straight to put themselves in the driver's seat. The Caps on the other hand, have worked hard, but with a touch less heart than the Pens.
The bottom line, Game 6 will have to be the heart and soul game of the Capitals season.
Game Notes
Game 6 Preview
Why the Capitals Will Win:
They will win because they have no choice.
Having given up 3 consecutive losses to the Penguins, the Caps have no other option but to win. Otherwise it will be a bitter-sweet sendoff by one of their most hated rivals. Down 3-2 against the Rangers heading into Game 6 of round 1, the Caps reeled off 2 straight wins to advance past the Rangers. Facing the same situation versus Pittsburgh, the Caps must win 2 in a row to advance.
Why the Penguins Will Lose:
Having rebounded from near elimination for 3 consecutive games, it becomes a question of how much longer the Penguins can out-match the Capitals energy. They have fought tooth and nail to gain a lead in the series, yet their true test will come in Game 6. The Caps have hung around in each game, yet have not displayed the killer instinct. Without Sergei Gonchar, Fleury must be spectacular.
Inside the Capitals for Game 6
It has been an emotional roller coaster and the Caps have been on the down-side of that coaster for the last 3 games. Washington has put up valiant efforts in the 3 losses, but they simply weren't enough to get past a desperate Pens team. No longer desperate, the Pens now have the advantage over the Caps. Washington must find a way to extricate the heart and desperation that the Penguins displayed, bringing the positive energy back to their lineup to recapture their winning ways.
Inside their Heads:
There is no tomorrow.
A familiar headline for these Caps. With their backs against the ropes, Washington will need to put together a full team effort, something that they haven't bee able to do since Games 1 & 2. They know that they are capable of handling the Penguins, it is simply a matter of getting out of their funk. With no more runway left for the Capitals team, it is time for them take off before they ground themselves.
Inside their Positives:
Three consecutive losses never brings to light the positive aspects of a team's play, but for the Capitals, things are not as bleak as they may seem. Despite losing the last 3 to the Penguins, 2 of those losses came in overtime. Having equaled the Pens twice in the dying minutes of a game, the Caps simply need to get to work sooner in order to gain the upper hand. Allowing the Penguins to dominate the play early puts the Caps behind the eight ball, but if Washington can show the heart and grit they do during the dying minutes of a game, throughout Game 6, there is no reason why there cannot be a Game 7 back at the Verizon Center.
Inside their Adjustments:
Home ice advantage did not solve much for Bruce Boudreau. Having the upper hand with the ability to have last change, there was not much more Boudreau could have done from the bench. He has given them all the opportunity to equal the Penguins, but it comes down to heart. Washington has plenty of it, yet it is as though they only feel they need to play with heart and desperation when they are facing true elimination. For the Caps to win Game 6 they must out-muscle and out-heart these resilient Pittsburgh club.
Inside their Trends:
Along with Alex Ovechkin, Simeon Varlamov has been the true reason behind the Capitals post-season success, yet he has shown signs of his falability recently. Varlamov has had trouble with a few long shots in the last couple of games, allowing untimely goals from far outside the danger areas. Washington was far better disciplined in Game 5 and played much better game as a result, yet it was a penalty in overtime that cost them the game. The power play needs a spark and the penalty kill would be better served if it did not have to be used at all.
Inside their Words:
"You've got to work hard to get the bounces...and we hit two crossbars the second half of the game or whatever it was. And those go in, and we're not talking about overtime. So we've created a lot of good opportunities, and sometimes they haven't gone in, but they've found a way to even out. So you work hard for those breaks, and that's just the way hockey goes." - Alex Ovechkin on how hard work has dictated the series.
Knowing that this series has been dictated by the bounces, Ovechkin realizes that the tables could be turned just as easily, with the Caps in the drivers seat. But Washington blew that chance and now that they are facing the ultimate winner take all battle, it's going to come down to who will work harder to get those bounces in Game 6.
"It is capable of being done," Boudreau said this morning. "In the two overtime losses, we put the puck in our own net. In the one regulation loss, it's easy to say that was [goalie Simeon Varlamov's] only bad game of the playoffs. So we're right there." - Bruce Boudreau on the Caps ability to comeback and win the next two games.
With a litte misfortune and some bad luck, the Caps have found themselves on the wrong end of the results in the last 3 games. Boudreau is confident in his team and the fact that he knows how well they respond when the season is on the line. It doesn't work all the time, but for the Caps to move onto the next round, they will need to be the ones who work the hardest to get those fortunate bounces.
Inside their Trainer's Room:
The lineup will remain the same, except for the possible addition of Donald Brashear to lineup. If Brash is inserted it will likely be in place of Jay Beagle. John Erskine has been a force after missing two games with an injury. The healthy scratches are Tyler Sloan, Michael Nylander and Jay Beagle/Donald Brashear. Eric Fehr is still questionable for Game 6 while Jeff Scultz and Brent Johnson remain unavailable for duty.
Inside their Bench:
With the possibility of seeing their season come to a crashing halt in Game 6, it will be a full throttle Capitals team that hits the ice at the Igloo in Pittsburgh. The energy level between both teams has been outrageous this series, at times you can almost feel the fatigue of the players as the dig deep within themselves to fight one more battle. Tonight will be the epitome of this series as the Caps must stave off elimination.
The Capitals will have a far more desperate attitude in Game 6. Expect Boudreau and the team to throw at all the stops in an attempt to regain the positive energy and to take this series back to Washington for one final showdown.
Game 6 Lineup's:
Pittsburgh Forwards
26-Fedotenko, 71-Malkin, 25-Talbot
14-Kunitz, 87-Crosby, 13-Guerin
24-Cooke, 11-Staal, 48-Kennedy
27-Adams, 81-Satan
Pittsburgh Defensemen
43-Boucher, 44-Orpik
2-Gill, 4-Scuderi
7-Eaton, 58-Letang
3-Goligoski
Goaltenders
*29-Fleury, 32-Garon
_______________________________________
Washington Forwards
8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 25-Kozlov
21-Laich, 91-Fedorov, 28-Semin
39-Steckel, 15-Gordon, 10-Bradley
14-Fleischmann, 83-Beagle, 17-Clark
Washington Defensemen
26-Morrisonn, 52-Green
3-Poti, 23-Jurcina
4-Erskine, 2-Pothier
Goaltenders
*40-Varlamov, 60-Theodore
The lineup's look as if they will remain the same from Game 5, unless Boudreau feels that inserting Brashear will give them an advantage of sorts.
I will be back with any new pregame or lineup notes as I get them.
steven.hindle@hockeybuzz.com
capitalshockeybuzz@live.ca
Go Caps!!!!!
In the last 2 seasons under Bruce Boudreau, the Washington Capitals have gone 5-1 in the post-season when facing elimination games.
Of course, all it takes is one loss in an elimination game and you get the luxury of booking the next available tee time. But, with an impressive ability to stave off elimination, the Caps may be in a position they favor.
They did not respond when given 3 opportunities to put this second round series on ice and now they are the ones who are in danger.
There have been few discrepancies between both the Penguins and Capitals thus far through 6 games, yet 3 wins in a row has the Pens in the lead.
The Penguins have battled hard and as a result have earned 3 straight to put themselves in the driver's seat. The Caps on the other hand, have worked hard, but with a touch less heart than the Pens.
The bottom line, Game 6 will have to be the heart and soul game of the Capitals season.
Game Notes
Playing on the edge – The Capitals have been here before. Last year, they trailed Philadelphia 3-1 in a best-of-seven series before forcing a Game 7 with two straight wins. They were in the same situation this year in the first round against the New York Rangers and then won the next three games to advance to the second round. Now, after two overtime losses, they trail Pittsburgh 3-2 and face the Pens on their home ice tonight. A win would force Game 7 in Washington on Wednesday and a loss would mean the season is over. Under Bruce Boudreau the Capitals are 5-1 in elimination games, including 3-0 this year. Disregarding shootout losses, the Capitals have never lost four straight games under Boudreau.
8 is No. 1 – Alex Ovechkin's two-goal, one-assist effort in Game 5 gave him the NHL lead in points (17), goals (10) and plus/minus (+8) entering Sunday's games. His point total matches the best in Capitals history (in three fewer games than anyone else). Ovechkin has points in each game of this series and goals in seven of the last nine games overall (10 goals in that time). He has a hand in 10 of Washington's 15 goals in the series and has points in nine of the 12 games this year. He has had multiple-point games in nine of the 19 playoff games he has played in his career.
Caps Record, Points in a Playoff Season
17 Alex Ovechkin, 2009 (10g-7a in 12 GP)
Joe Juneau, 1998 (7g-10a in 21 GP)
Adam Oates, 1998 (6g-11a in 21 GP)
John Druce, 1990 (14g-3a in 15 GP)
Recent history – Washington is 6-1 in the last two seasons when facing a win-or-go-home game (including the final game of the 2007-08 regular season). This is the third series in a row in which Washington has faced elimination before the seventh game; the Capitals have forced a Game 7 in the previous two series, winning last round against the Rangers.
Ancient history – Washington is seeking to beat Pittsburgh in a playoff series for just the second time in eight attempts. In three of the previous series that the Penguins have won the Capitals held a two-game series lead at some point (either 2-0 or 3-1).
Nick of time – Nicklas Backstrom has established a Capitals playoff record with points in seven eight games, including goals in each of the last three games. Backstrom ranks second in the NHL in assists (11) and is just two assists shy of the Capitals single-season playoff record for assists (Andrei Nikolishin, 13, 1998); he is tied for fourth in the NHL in points (14).
Caps Record, Consecutive Playoff Games with a Point
8 Nicklas Backstrom, 4/24/09 to 5/8/09 vs. NYR, PIT
7 Geoff Courtnall, 4/13/90 to 4/27/90 vs. NJ, NYR
Caps Record, Assists in a Playoff Season
13 Andrei Nikolishin, 1998
11 Nicklas Backstrom, 2009
Adam Oates, 1998
Mike Ridley, 1992
Scott Stevens, 1988
Close calls – All six of Washington's playoff losses have come by one or two goals; Game 4 of the series in Pittsburgh (a 5-3 loss) was the only multiple-goal loss for the Capitals.
For the record – Washington is 9-9 all-time in Game 6, 6-6 when it is played on the road and 4-6 when facing elimination. The Capitals are 1-4 against Pittsburgh in Game 6.
Game 6 Preview
Why the Capitals Will Win:
They will win because they have no choice.
Having given up 3 consecutive losses to the Penguins, the Caps have no other option but to win. Otherwise it will be a bitter-sweet sendoff by one of their most hated rivals. Down 3-2 against the Rangers heading into Game 6 of round 1, the Caps reeled off 2 straight wins to advance past the Rangers. Facing the same situation versus Pittsburgh, the Caps must win 2 in a row to advance.
Why the Penguins Will Lose:
Having rebounded from near elimination for 3 consecutive games, it becomes a question of how much longer the Penguins can out-match the Capitals energy. They have fought tooth and nail to gain a lead in the series, yet their true test will come in Game 6. The Caps have hung around in each game, yet have not displayed the killer instinct. Without Sergei Gonchar, Fleury must be spectacular.
Inside the Capitals for Game 6
It has been an emotional roller coaster and the Caps have been on the down-side of that coaster for the last 3 games. Washington has put up valiant efforts in the 3 losses, but they simply weren't enough to get past a desperate Pens team. No longer desperate, the Pens now have the advantage over the Caps. Washington must find a way to extricate the heart and desperation that the Penguins displayed, bringing the positive energy back to their lineup to recapture their winning ways.
Inside their Heads:
There is no tomorrow.
A familiar headline for these Caps. With their backs against the ropes, Washington will need to put together a full team effort, something that they haven't bee able to do since Games 1 & 2. They know that they are capable of handling the Penguins, it is simply a matter of getting out of their funk. With no more runway left for the Capitals team, it is time for them take off before they ground themselves.
Inside their Positives:
Three consecutive losses never brings to light the positive aspects of a team's play, but for the Capitals, things are not as bleak as they may seem. Despite losing the last 3 to the Penguins, 2 of those losses came in overtime. Having equaled the Pens twice in the dying minutes of a game, the Caps simply need to get to work sooner in order to gain the upper hand. Allowing the Penguins to dominate the play early puts the Caps behind the eight ball, but if Washington can show the heart and grit they do during the dying minutes of a game, throughout Game 6, there is no reason why there cannot be a Game 7 back at the Verizon Center.
Inside their Adjustments:
Home ice advantage did not solve much for Bruce Boudreau. Having the upper hand with the ability to have last change, there was not much more Boudreau could have done from the bench. He has given them all the opportunity to equal the Penguins, but it comes down to heart. Washington has plenty of it, yet it is as though they only feel they need to play with heart and desperation when they are facing true elimination. For the Caps to win Game 6 they must out-muscle and out-heart these resilient Pittsburgh club.
Inside their Trends:
Along with Alex Ovechkin, Simeon Varlamov has been the true reason behind the Capitals post-season success, yet he has shown signs of his falability recently. Varlamov has had trouble with a few long shots in the last couple of games, allowing untimely goals from far outside the danger areas. Washington was far better disciplined in Game 5 and played much better game as a result, yet it was a penalty in overtime that cost them the game. The power play needs a spark and the penalty kill would be better served if it did not have to be used at all.
Inside their Words:
"You've got to work hard to get the bounces...and we hit two crossbars the second half of the game or whatever it was. And those go in, and we're not talking about overtime. So we've created a lot of good opportunities, and sometimes they haven't gone in, but they've found a way to even out. So you work hard for those breaks, and that's just the way hockey goes." - Alex Ovechkin on how hard work has dictated the series.
Knowing that this series has been dictated by the bounces, Ovechkin realizes that the tables could be turned just as easily, with the Caps in the drivers seat. But Washington blew that chance and now that they are facing the ultimate winner take all battle, it's going to come down to who will work harder to get those bounces in Game 6.
"It is capable of being done," Boudreau said this morning. "In the two overtime losses, we put the puck in our own net. In the one regulation loss, it's easy to say that was [goalie Simeon Varlamov's] only bad game of the playoffs. So we're right there." - Bruce Boudreau on the Caps ability to comeback and win the next two games.
With a litte misfortune and some bad luck, the Caps have found themselves on the wrong end of the results in the last 3 games. Boudreau is confident in his team and the fact that he knows how well they respond when the season is on the line. It doesn't work all the time, but for the Caps to move onto the next round, they will need to be the ones who work the hardest to get those fortunate bounces.
Inside their Trainer's Room:
The lineup will remain the same, except for the possible addition of Donald Brashear to lineup. If Brash is inserted it will likely be in place of Jay Beagle. John Erskine has been a force after missing two games with an injury. The healthy scratches are Tyler Sloan, Michael Nylander and Jay Beagle/Donald Brashear. Eric Fehr is still questionable for Game 6 while Jeff Scultz and Brent Johnson remain unavailable for duty.
Inside their Bench:
With the possibility of seeing their season come to a crashing halt in Game 6, it will be a full throttle Capitals team that hits the ice at the Igloo in Pittsburgh. The energy level between both teams has been outrageous this series, at times you can almost feel the fatigue of the players as the dig deep within themselves to fight one more battle. Tonight will be the epitome of this series as the Caps must stave off elimination.
The Capitals will have a far more desperate attitude in Game 6. Expect Boudreau and the team to throw at all the stops in an attempt to regain the positive energy and to take this series back to Washington for one final showdown.
Game 6 Lineup's:
Pittsburgh Forwards
26-Fedotenko, 71-Malkin, 25-Talbot
14-Kunitz, 87-Crosby, 13-Guerin
24-Cooke, 11-Staal, 48-Kennedy
27-Adams, 81-Satan
Pittsburgh Defensemen
43-Boucher, 44-Orpik
2-Gill, 4-Scuderi
7-Eaton, 58-Letang
3-Goligoski
Goaltenders
*29-Fleury, 32-Garon
_______________________________________
Washington Forwards
8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 25-Kozlov
21-Laich, 91-Fedorov, 28-Semin
39-Steckel, 15-Gordon, 10-Bradley
14-Fleischmann, 83-Beagle, 17-Clark
Washington Defensemen
26-Morrisonn, 52-Green
3-Poti, 23-Jurcina
4-Erskine, 2-Pothier
Goaltenders
*40-Varlamov, 60-Theodore
The lineup's look as if they will remain the same from Game 5, unless Boudreau feels that inserting Brashear will give them an advantage of sorts.
I will be back with any new pregame or lineup notes as I get them.
steven.hindle@hockeybuzz.com
capitalshockeybuzz@live.ca
Go Caps!!!!!
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