Simoeon Varlamov has come on strong for the Capitals, making their goaltending their strength in the playoffs (Courtesy Photo/WashingtonCaps.com)
"Don't Stop Believing" - Journey
Never have any three words perfectly described being a Washington Capitals Fan. After going down 3 games to 1, I thought this was it. The Sharks and Caps would be playing golf at this time instead of going on to round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As the song says: Don't Stop Believing!
After coming back from the brink in brilliant 4-0 and 5-3 wins over the weekend, the Capitals can do the impossible and win this best of 7 that has been anything but all Caps from the start.
After pulling Theodore for Games 2-6, Simeon Varlamov, the now 21-year-old netminding sensation, has only given up 6 goals in 5 starts with a 1.20 GAA and a .954 Save Percentage. Lundqvist looks human for the first time in this entire series, giving up 9 goals in the last two games while sitting out the third period in both game 5 and 6. Alex Ovechkin has 3 goals in the last 3 games and looks hungry for more.
Coach John Tortorella was suspended for Game 6 after throwing a full water bottle into the crowd at Verizon Center (striking a woman) when a fan said some unappropriate comments about two of his players being in a "gay" relationship. So what changed for this Caps team?
Well, chaos struck the New York Rangers. After Sean Avery got scratched for Game 5, the Rangers looked off. Their mouthy enforcer was nowhere on the ice, causing problems when it came to the power plays or just to have a physical presence. To top it all off, the suspension of Tortorella was needed after he threw the full water bottle and hit an innocent fan. It's one thing to spray a little water on the fans but to throw a full bottle then grab a stick and try to go after them? He did what he preached to Avery not to do and that caused the Ranger team to get distracted for Game 6.
You can't say enough about the play of young Simeon Varlamov. He has been absolutely brilliant. The now 21-year-old (his birthday is today!) has done everything right to bring the Caps back from the brink of elimination. Theodore had his chance and blew it. Now it's Varlamov's turn to shine. Also, Ovechkin altering his style of play after the first 3 games really helped the Caps as he now has a tally in Games 4, 5 and 6. He will surely have one in Game 7. The supporting cast has stepped up and is scoring when needed. In Game 6, Poti, Jurcina and Green were the first 3 goals - all by defensemen - and got the Caps rolling and never looking back.
In Game 7, the Caps need to remain focused. The game is not guaranteed by any means and they need to play exactly like they have in Games 5 and 6 to walk away victorious. The Rangers will bring their best on Tuesday. Keep shooting on Lundqvist, whose confidence in goaltending has to be shaken after getting pulled for the third period in two straight contests after giving up 9 goals. It's like I've said all along: the first 10 minutes of the hockey game are critical and the Caps have to score in that frame to set the tone of play. If the Caps do all that, the monkey will FINALLY be off their backs as they would advance to the semi-finals for the first time since that glorious 1997-98 Stanley Cup Final season. GO CAPS!
After coming back from the brink in brilliant 4-0 and 5-3 wins over the weekend, the Capitals can do the impossible and win this best of 7 that has been anything but all Caps from the start.
After pulling Theodore for Games 2-6, Simeon Varlamov, the now 21-year-old netminding sensation, has only given up 6 goals in 5 starts with a 1.20 GAA and a .954 Save Percentage. Lundqvist looks human for the first time in this entire series, giving up 9 goals in the last two games while sitting out the third period in both game 5 and 6. Alex Ovechkin has 3 goals in the last 3 games and looks hungry for more.
Coach John Tortorella was suspended for Game 6 after throwing a full water bottle into the crowd at Verizon Center (striking a woman) when a fan said some unappropriate comments about two of his players being in a "gay" relationship. So what changed for this Caps team?
Well, chaos struck the New York Rangers. After Sean Avery got scratched for Game 5, the Rangers looked off. Their mouthy enforcer was nowhere on the ice, causing problems when it came to the power plays or just to have a physical presence. To top it all off, the suspension of Tortorella was needed after he threw the full water bottle and hit an innocent fan. It's one thing to spray a little water on the fans but to throw a full bottle then grab a stick and try to go after them? He did what he preached to Avery not to do and that caused the Ranger team to get distracted for Game 6.
You can't say enough about the play of young Simeon Varlamov. He has been absolutely brilliant. The now 21-year-old (his birthday is today!) has done everything right to bring the Caps back from the brink of elimination. Theodore had his chance and blew it. Now it's Varlamov's turn to shine. Also, Ovechkin altering his style of play after the first 3 games really helped the Caps as he now has a tally in Games 4, 5 and 6. He will surely have one in Game 7. The supporting cast has stepped up and is scoring when needed. In Game 6, Poti, Jurcina and Green were the first 3 goals - all by defensemen - and got the Caps rolling and never looking back.
In Game 7, the Caps need to remain focused. The game is not guaranteed by any means and they need to play exactly like they have in Games 5 and 6 to walk away victorious. The Rangers will bring their best on Tuesday. Keep shooting on Lundqvist, whose confidence in goaltending has to be shaken after getting pulled for the third period in two straight contests after giving up 9 goals. It's like I've said all along: the first 10 minutes of the hockey game are critical and the Caps have to score in that frame to set the tone of play. If the Caps do all that, the monkey will FINALLY be off their backs as they would advance to the semi-finals for the first time since that glorious 1997-98 Stanley Cup Final season. GO CAPS!
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