For the fourth time in the last 7 years (three times in the past four years) the Washington Capitals will be looking to close out the New York Rangers in Game 7, this time heading to Madison Square Garden on the heels of two straight losses.
The Caps were up 3-1 on the Rangers, but New York battled back with an overtime win in Game 5 and a great start in Game 6 to tie the series at 3 a piece.
Washington has yet to advance to the third round in the Ovechkin-era, and this is a must-win series not only for the team but for the fans, who have been biting their nails for 7 years to get over the elusive 2nd round hump.
In a game that is surrounded by stats reaching as far back as the Carter administration, the home team, going into Game 7's, is 93-65 all-time. The team that scores first is 117-41 all-time and 39 of the 158 Game 7's have required overtime with the away team winning 20-19. (Thanks CSNWashington for the stats)
But anyone who knows this game, or plays this game, knows that stats mean absolutely nothing in these kinds of situations. Stats are just numbers that the media uses to instill desperation on the part of the home or away team; to put more pressure on the superstars who are vying for their first Cup; or the rookie trying to make his mark.
The only thing that is definite is the importance of this game on both sides and the pressure that each side is facing to move on in these playoffs game-by-game.
Goaltenders: Henrik Lunqvist is one of the best clutch goaltenders in the league. He has a 5-1 record with a 1.00 GAA. While he seems unbeatable, he is still human and no matter how amazing his numbers are, the Capitals are still very capable of beating him if they can get around a suffocating Rangers defense that blocked 35 shots in Game 6.
Braden Holtby has starred in 4 Game 7 starts and is 2-2. However, this Holtby is a completely different goaltender than he was 2 years ago when he cheesed a 5-0 defeat to a different Rangers team. Holtby has been lights out for the Capitals, but he's been left to defend the crease by himself this series which has lead to costly goals. The Caps need to dig down and block more of what is coming Holtby's way and protect their goaltender tonight.
Forwards: Chris Kreider was the hero of Game 6, scoring 2 huge goals in the first period. His speed and strength has powered the Rangers forecheck, and he has picked up where stars like Rick Nash have dropped off. Nash finally scored in Game 6 off a Capitals mistake, but he needs to do more tonight and be the Nash he was in the regular season.
Alex Ovechkin, like Nash, also needs to come alive. He's been a bull this series and has scored some key goals, but in order for him to become a legend he needs to raise his game to the next level and lead this Capitals team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Nicklas Backstrom needs to do the same, but in his quiet, unassuming way. He's been almost invisible this round.
Defense: Ryan McDonagh should be ready to go after absorbing a big hit by Ovechkin at the end of Game 6. The Caps have been good at finishing their checks, but the Rangers D has been good playing the puck and getting it out. The Caps need to force turnovers and draw the Rangers defense out of the shooting lanes. McDonagh and Girardi will be all over Ovechkin tonight.
Tim Gleason could be a scratch tonight if the Caps want to up their speed on the blue line with recently re-called Nate Schmidt. Gleason has been playing tough, but his foot speed is an issue as he tries to keep up with the Rangers speedy forecheck. Mike Green has been very solid this series, but we need to see more of the offense that made him a threat through most of his career. John Carlson has been very good offensively, but he has made too many mistakes in his own zone.
Special Teams:
The Capitals also need to get their 0-10 power play going. Ovechkin has been covered well by the Rangers in his shooting and Washington needs to start spreading out the coverage or crash the net and create havoc.
The Caps penalty kill has been been decent, but needs to be perfect tonight. They need to block more shots and keep the Rangers from getting in-between the coverage and getting to Holtby. We have the size to do it.
This has been the series that everyone was expecting. It's been hard-fought and fast, with a dose of the dramatic.
“Going into this series I’m listening to all you experts and everyone was saying it’s going to be a long, seven-game series, so you got what you wanted.… - Barry Trotz
Puck drops at 7:30pm.
Go Caps.
More to come...