Image ripped off NY Times hereReading the New York Times this morning was fun. Not only did the Red Sox complete a sweep of the Yankees last night (more on that later as time and crazy babies allow), but the Caps dominated the Rangers to send the series back to Washington for a decisive Game 7 Tuesday night. The final score was 5-3, but the Rangers scored two goals in the third period, or what has been known recently as garbage time.
The Caps jumped out to a 5-1 lead midway through the second period and then coasted, perhaps a bit too much, taking undisciplined penalties and failing to play defense. If a reversal of fortune happens in DC on Tuesday, guaranteed, the third period of Game 6 will be will be where everyone turns.
For now though, the Caps are flying high, beating, nay Crushing!* the Rangers on home ice. The ever supportive ranger fans booed the hell out of the home team routinely throughout not just the third, but the second period. For the second time in two games, savior/goalie Henrik Lundqvist was yanked following the second intermission. He'll certainly start game 7, but if anyone is in any one's head now, it's the Caps in Lundqvist's.
Despite all the celebration (and there was much) on Sunday, this was Game 6, people, not Game 7. You don't win shit for winning game six when you go into it down 3-2. Gotta have Game 7 too (see, "Washington Capitals, 2007-8"). Hockey momentum can turn on a dime as we've all seen over and over again, but any observer of this series would likely have to admit that it is difficult to imagine the Rangers winning Game 7 on Tuesday.
To my under-educated eye, the difference between the first four games and the last two is simply Rangers goaltending. I'm certain someone more familiar with the intricacies of the game could better point out any change in strategic tendencies etc., but Henrik Lundqvist's inability to stifle the Capitals combined with his recent proclivity to allow a soft goal (or two) in the first period has led directly to the Capitals last two victories and their pulling even in this series. If Lundqvist is on his game there is no reason the Rangers can't steal yet another game from the Capitals on Tuesday night. If not, the Rangers are cooked. But they might be cooked anyway.
*Like Ichiro!
3 comments:
I expected Brashear to get a game for his pregame shenanigans, then a game for his hit on Betts. Nope - he gets SIX games total. Good. That hit was retarded and useless. F him.
SIX? What tha...? Actually, I can't really defend that hit. I didn't think it was a six game worthy hit, but what ever...
ESPN reported that Mike Green was also suspended. Fortunately, ESPN is full of shit, so Mike Green will be on the ice in a Caps sweater for game 7.
Ya, Green was suspended for leaving a mark on the glass where his face smushed in to it after Dubinsky's illegal hit.
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