The good news is, the Caps are home tonight .
The bad news is, they're not the best when facing elimination in Game 7.
Since 2007, Washington is 1-4 at home in Game 7's, including a painful 5-0 whooping in 2013 to the New York Rangers.
However, this Capitals team is a much different breed than years past, and they have the coach to get them over that elusive playoff hump that has plagued them since the Ovechkin-era started.
Barry Trotz has never had a ton of success in the playoffs, but his experience and bench management is the best the Caps have had since Ron Wilson took the Capitals to the Finals in '98.
Dale Hunter gave this franchise the best playoff results in 2012 when the Caps took to the second round, but his handling of certain players (no, not Ovechkin) came under scrutiny. Trotz doesn't have that problem, it seems, as he has given everyone an equal opportunity to prove themselves over and over and make up for any mistakes they may have made in a previous shift or game.
The Capitals not only have themselves to play for this post-season, they have a coach that they believe in and will follow into battle. That's not something we've had here in DC for a few years.
It will be the toughest playoff game Washington has played in since Montreal beat them in 2010, but no matter how poor the Capitals history of Game 7 disappointment is Barry Trotz is not concerned:
"A lot of our guys haven't been a part of that history," Trotz said. "I haven't, so it doesn't really mean anything to me." (NHL.com)
Game 7 starts at 7:30.
Go Caps!
More to come...