It is pretty basic now: We need a three game winning streak. We need a win at home on Friday. We need a road win. We need a Game 7 at home.
We understand the odds. But we will still come and play on Friday.
It is win or go home time now for every single game.
As this ESPN story notes, when you look at the stats in many instances, we should be making this a closer series. But great teams find a way to win and it is now that time for us.
We have lost three games by one goal.
We have taken fifty more shots than the other team.
Our new young goaltender has lost two games; won one game and has let in three goals in total. He has a 1.0 goal against average per game. He is 1-2, such a sad stat for us.
The most important players on the other team yesterday were post and cross bar. Fedorov hits one and we are still down 1-0. Ovechkin hits one and we are still down 2-1.
These playoffs seem to be about:
- Goaltending.
- Not making any mistakes that lead to an unfortunate goal.
- Good fortune. Rangers had bad fortune on a play at home in Game 3 and good fortune last night on two rushes from us.
We are bowed but still determined. I believe in the power of positive thinking. Onward to Game 5 at home on Friday.
Good goaltending is like good pitching in basement… it can help, but its not the whole story…. Frankly, which team in playoff does not have good goaltending… that should not be the reason for not winning… If we cannot get pass Henrik…. how about Martin from Devils… how do we plan to pass him if we beat Rangers ???
You can do it … Caps are the superior team in this matchup. Keep your composure and just do what you do.
No matter what happens this is a great team. They are very close to playing as a cohesive unit and when they get to that point they will be an NHL powerhouse. All championship teams have a run-up to success and this is all part of the process. When I think about what is coming up from the farm and what is already in place it reminds me that we are knocking on the door. It might end up feeling a little unjust, being this good and not going deep into the playoffs. A lot of hard work is in the rear view mirror. Don’t look back though, at least not until the destiny and dynasty has been fulfilled.
Edward-I agree with your sentiments. These guys are hockey players first and while the “human interest” side can be in face “interesting” at…it doesn’t help win games or a championship. It helps keep the fans happy and draw new fans. Great marketing by the team…but now we need a different kind of great playing to get us moving forward in any playoff series. I agree about the banner…just hang it during the summer or preseason.
You might have the different opinion but I think that Montreal and Washington has at least one problem in common. The problem is absence of an offensive defenseman who can transfer the puck forward. To be more specific the names are Markov and Green to Montreal and Washington accordingly. Markov is injured and did not play. No more questions and as result of yesterday game Canadiens can book their flights to summer holidays. But what is about Caps Mike Green? I don’t know. Maybe he has an undisclosed injury or he is tired after long successful season, but something wrong with him. He is not skating, not shooting, not finishing his checks, he is losing his one on one battles and taking lazy penalties etc etc. Shortly, he is not himself. I don’t think Ovechkin, Semin, Kozlov, Fedorov and Varlamov are in any hurry to join Russian National team in Switzerland. So if Washington doesn’t want to join Habs and Blues something supposed to be done urgently. Do you know what’s wrong with Mike Green? Let me know
Ted said:
“These playoffs seem to be about:
Goaltending.
Not making any mistakes that lead to an unfortunate goal.
Good fortune.”
That’s right, Ted! Give me any previous playoffs to be NOT about the same 3 point!
This is a team where great things happen. Just stay in the moment as a team. Forget about your goalie, forget about their goalie just pound them with shots on goal and remember the rebounds! I love this teams RELENTLESS DETERMINATION. That’s why I know The Caps can do it. D.C. is now a hockey town! Your fans love ya. Lets Go Caps!!
Mr. Leonsis
As the unabashed Rangers fan on this blog regularly a slight push back on your assessment, with a kudos to Ovechkin for his handling of the media last night. Great push back on talking to him about the series being over!
1) goaltending and defense WIN series, period. (that’s why 50 additional shots isn’t relevant).
2) You said: “The most important players on the other team yesterday were post and cross bar.” NOT TRUE — the most important players for my Blueshirts last night were Henrik and his 38 saves and the grit of Chris Drury – playing through pain that in the regular season would have seen him scratched and delivering the goal that turned out to be the game-winner. Not to mention a 6 for 6 penalty kill (in spite of Avery’s best efforts).
I like you Caps, I like your commitment to hockey and this team, but a little credit where credit is due.
Not over yet. We have lost three, but we have not been beat! 1 – 0 and 2 -1. Those could have gone either way. The issue is that our strength is the power play, and we get to face the team with the top kill in the league in the first round. regular season records mean nothing, it is all about match ups. The rangers match up well against our strength. We can still win, but if we don’t, it is not cause to make draconian moves. We have already won, in that we now have a big game goalie that we have NEVER had before. Exposing Varmalov to the pressure of the playoffs will pay long term dividends, and that is where we need to look, LONG TERM. We want to be the Red Wings of the East, a consistent threat to win it all, not a one time wonder like Tampa and Carolina
Everything but the kitchen sink has been thrown at Lundqvist. Problem is not everything is getting through.
The Rangers are blocking nearly every shot that comes from the point so even if the Caps are getting lots of traffic in front of the net, its not doing any good.
How about instead of shooting from the circle in those one on one situations, why not drive to the friggin net ?
Just a thought.
Having said that…not giving up hope either. They were down 3-1 last year to a far better team than NYR.
Hopefully the guys in the locker room still believe. Unlike the underachievers from the 2002-2003 team that came home up 2-0 to Tampa and after losing 3 in a row basically had quit before even taking to the ice for game 6.
Caps showed something in third last night despite not winning the game. Ovechkin is a champion . His game can hit another level and he is in that zone now that very few athletes in sports can reach. We have a great team and i think all of us fans should really appreciate what has been assembled here.
One guy has really stole the show from us so far. One guy and that’s it. Caps have gone 100% and we have been unfortunate so far. Nothing to be ashamed of.
Despite the loss i am very encouraged we can pull this series off. Caps just gotta keep playing their game. Play loose, stay positive, remain focused and leave it all on the ice. No reason to be tenative or nervous. We support this team 100%.
This is a championship caliber team and the rangers will find it very difficult to put this team away. Caps have it in them to make the comeback. Go CAPS!!
You’re right. Life is best lived continuing to think positive and having faith.
I will make the train trip down from the heart of the enemy here in NYC tomorrow afternoon, Game 5 ticket in hand, and support our team and loudly as I can. Go Caps.
Put me in the “I’m a Believer” category! If there is any team capable of such a comeback, it’s this Caps team. And if they lose – we can all still stand and clap for such an unbelievable season knowing next year we will even be stronger. It’s still a win-win for me.
Well said ted.
Well said. If we think we will lose then we probably will. I am nervous as most Caps fans are, but we will never lose our pride for these guys. They have spirit and desire, which is something that never fails. I would rather go home and say I “rocked the red” anyday than be a fan of any other team in the league. We have something special in DC. When our team hits the ice, we stand and cheer our hearts out. We go home with bobble heads, towels, t-shirts, and huge love for our team. I have been in other arenas, and it is boring compared to our games and venues. Discovering hockey is the most exciting thing I have ever been a part of. The Caps have magic, and win or lose we love this team and the organization it is built on. Whether you are a Capital player or fan, the outside world has taken notice. Thanks, Ted for all that you do. Unleasing the Red gives me chills. A Crazy Fan
I believe you are correct about the power of positive thinking. It is definitely within the realm of possibility that this great young Capitals team is capable of putting together a three-game winning streak. They did it all season. They can do it again.
Don’t stop Believin’!
I am not a Fare weather fan! I believe you are a marketing genius, you have such faith in your team that you have staged this whole thing and are waiting for the Grand Finale of the Game 7 win at home! C-A-P-S Caps caps caps!!!!!!! Now unleash the fury! take the reins off and let the boys loose!
Ted,
Caps need to play with grit, Crash the net and stop taking shots from 50 ft away. Tell them to go look at the goals they scored in game 3. If they do that we are back in the series if not.. We all go home early and we cant let that happen again.
Yes we have outshot the Rangers but go look where majority of those shots are coming from. Lundquist will save those any day of the week. Its do or die!
i’m confident ted and will see you friday night. but if they dont win the next three, i sure hope that you, gm and the coaches remind the players why they get paid so much. stop with the videos of fancy cars and hair cuts. i dont care about mike greens condo decorations unless its a new case to store his norris and/or conn smythe trophy and replica stanley cup. in fact, i recommend no celebration of the southeast division title at next years home opener. just hang the banner w/ no ceremony and move on.
I have confidence that we can come back and win, but I think it would be a mistake to think that the 3-1 deficit is all about goaltending a mistake or two and good fortune.
Last year, we really kept the team together for a run this year. This year, we’ve seen that there are areas where we will need to make changes in the offseason that will make our offense more suited to the grinder style of playoff hockey.
But some good news, aside from Varlamov, is the emergence of John Erskine and the toughness shown by Backstrom.
right you are! I noticed as a tweeter though that I was noting that Caps were killing their own power plays with penalties – does the actual data support that?