New Year, Same Shit

The New York Rangers proved tonight they wanted it more than the Washington Capitals.

NY beat the Capitals 2-1 to win game 7 and advance to the Eastern Conference finals

For the 4th year in a row, the Capitals failed to make it out of the 2nd round.  The Caps never were in the game.  They never held a lead.  That's called not getting it done. 

Another year thinking what might have been.  Another year to wonder why OV and company can't get their shit together.  Another year to have an office full of co-workers asking me why they didn't win.

Being a Caps fan is hard work.

Two minutes

In a span of two minutes (well, more like 25 actual minutes) the world came crashing down for the Washington Capitals.

Joel Ward took a double minor high sticking penalty with 20 seconds remaining in regulation with the Caps clinging to a one goal lead.  On the ensuing faceoff, the Rangers controlled the puck, and a flurry in front of the Caps' net resulted in Brad Richards sneaking one in past Braden Holtby and John Carlson, off the far post and into the net with only 6.6 seconds remaining.

In perfect Capitals fashion, Marc Staal scored 1:35 into overtime while still on the power play from the 2nd of the double minor penalties.  Staal's shot after a faceoff win by John Mitchell went past a screened Braden Holtby.  Holtby had zero chance to stop the puck - there was no way he could see it.  It was obvious as Holtby never reacted until the puck was in the net.  Not much you can do as a goalie at that point.  You can't stop what you can't see.

In a matter of two minutes, the Caps went from going back to Washington leading the series 3-2 to going back to Washington facing elimination.

A few have said that the Ward penalty shouldn't have been called.  To me, it was a must call.  Any time a player high sticks another player, boards another player, or illegally hits the head, it has to be called.  I know sometimes hooks, trips, and holds aren't called at critical points of the game, even though I think they should - consistency is key! 

Wednesday night should be interesting.  We will see how the Caps respond.  They have been with their backs against the wall before, and they have found ways to come back and win.  Time will tell.