The Capitals have reached game 7 in their third consecutive playoffs series. For the District’s teams, it is the tenth game 7 ever, dating back to 1924 when the Senators/Nationals beat the New York Giants in the World Series. Tonight, in Washington the Caps take on the team and superstar that the NHL decided was the most important four years ago*, the Pittsburgh Penguins. In short, Washington needs to bring their “A” game, especially on the penalty kill, because they cannot count on the officials to do their job. As officials go, NHL refs are only better than their NBA counterparts. I don’t expect Washington to get the calls tonight and they probably ought to come out of the gate as if they are down 1-0.
The Caps have gotten this far because Alex Ovechkin has 13 points in six games and Simeon Varlamov has emerged between the pipes. Both, especially that latter will need to play well tonight to advance. Mike Green has been pretty much a no-show throughout and may have a bum shoulder holding him back. This would be an excellent time for him to up his play. Pittsburgh’s combination of Sidney Crosby and Evegini Malkin are the best one-two punch in the league when Malkin decides to play (which he did not at the start of the series), so they are quite formidable. The series has been everything the NHL could have dreamed for, now hopefully the Caps will give them the ending they don’t want — a Caps victory.
Down to the Wire – The Post
Capitals hope to vanquish bad history against Penguins – The Wash. Times
No Place for Penalties In Game 7 – The Post
Capitals hope to vanquish bad history against Penguins – The Wash. Times
Dan Daly: A place in D.C. lore – The Wash. Times
GO CAPS!
*Right after the Penguins were last in league attendance.
