For the 5th time in 7 years these two teams have faced off. We’re now at the point of for the 4th time in those 5 series we are going to 7 games. You would think after seeing each other so much in these tightly contested and highly pressurized situations that the hate would be high. For these two teams it’s not, I’m sure both teams don’t like each other but you don’t see it on the ice. In other rivalry series you see teams just waiting for the opportunity to give someone a little extra shot resulting in scrums and penalties. This is one of those classic respect rivalries though, no shenanigans just fast physical play between the whistles. Make no mistake about it, this series has been a classic in the Rangers-Capitals rivalry and game 7 should only add to the legend.
How have we gotten here? Coming into the series the Rangers were favorites, winning the Presidents Trophy as best team in the NHL not only did people think this team was a favorite for this series, they thought this team was a favorite to represent the eastern conference in the Stanley Cup final and even win the Cup. If you want one of the best examples of Cup contenders from regular season stats look no further than the New York Rangers. Balancing Goals for per game (3.02) and goals against per game (2.28) this is the perfect example of great defense and above average offense, what more could you ask for? The offense was good enough and the defense and goaltending remained good as the Rangers got past the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs in 5 games.
The underdog Washington Capitals aren’t really that far behind though. Goals for per game is also good (2.89) and goals against per game is very respectable (2.43). So why are the Capitals underdogs. On paper New York is a better team, deeper on offense, deep defensively and a better goalie. The Capitals have done just fine with offensive depth for the season, their defense is more than good enough for the playoffs and their goalie has showed he can play in the biggest stage of the season. The offense was good but the defense looked shaky at times in the first round against the New York Islanders but the Capitals found a way to get past the Isles in a hard fought 7 game series.
If you look at all the stats, the Rangers and Capitals are more evenly matched than most people think.Saying that the New York Rangers have indeed been the better team in this series, but found themselves down 3-1; you got to love playoff hockey. Playoffs in all sports depend on the same thing, what team can stop the other team from scoring. As much as casual fans seem to get attracted by high scoring sports, look at teams who have won sports championships, all teams are solid defensively. The Capitals for a lot of this series have shut down the Rangers goal scoring. The Rangers have controlled the majority of play but Washington has blocked a ton of shots and even when New York does get shots they still can’t get the puck past Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby.
That is what is going to win this series for the Capitals IF they get back to that in game 7. If the Capitals play they way they did in game 6 for about 45 minutes they won’t win game 7 especially in Madison Sqaure Garden. If the Capitals get back to the game that gave them a 3-1 series lead and the kind of game that gave them a 1-0 lead with a minute and a half left in game 5 they can win game 7. If the Capitals play the way they did in Ot of game 5 and game 6 this is going to end in utter disappointment….again. The Caps can’t play that loose game and let shots get through to Holtby. They have to block shots, they have to win races to pucks and get out of their Dzone as quick as possible and hope that turns into chances at the other end.
For the Rangers, the way game 6 went they couldn’t be happier most likely. Yes, they probably don’t like the fact they gave up 2 late goals to make the game closer but the played great for a good amount of time that game. What the Rangers need to do is get the puck deep and work on Capital defensemen. Getting the puck deep and dragging some Capitals down below the goal line will hopefully open up some chances for Ranger defensemen up at the point or even in the slot, get good shots against Holtby and beat him.
Even though the Rangers were the best team in the league this season and at risk of losing in the 2nd round all the pressure is on the Washington Capitals. With the past, the failures hovering in the back of their mind, the 2010 collapse, the fact that as great as this team has been for about 8 years, they have never gotten past the 2nd round. Add that to the fact that they were up 3-1 in this series and had that decisive game 5 won, but with only a minute and a half left in game 5 holding onto a 1-0 they let up a late goal and eventually lose in OT. Having the ability to close out the series at home in game 6 and they don’t play that great for 45 minutes out of a 60 minute game. Now this team has lost 2 straight games to the best team in the league and have to try to win a game 7 in Madison Sqaure Garden.
The New York Rangers have all the momentum. Whether you believe in carry over momentum or not is completely up to you, but you have to believe that after winning 2 straight and avoiding elimination for 2 straight games the Rangers have a hell of a lot more confidence than the Capitals. Add to that the Rangers have not lost an elimination game on home ice in the past 9 games, 9-0 in the last nine where they were facing elimination on their home ice. You won’t get either team in the media saying they don’t have much confidence but Washington has got to be feeling the pressure. Yes the Capitals are underdogs, but very rarely do you see the underdog team with all the pressure on them.
If you agree or disagree with anything I had to say in this article go ahead and comment or you can head over to Twitter and contact me there @CJSportsrambler.
