First off, I apologize for this being so late - if you didn't already know I am in school and the year is coming to and end and that means exams.. yeah. I'll do my best to make sure this doesn't happen again. Anyways, back to hockey. Washington blew a 3-1 series lead to the relentless Rangers, who rally from 3-1 down for the second straight year to win in 7. Ovechkin's game 7 guarantee wasn't enough to get those Capitals by - let's look at in in some depth.
GAME 1 - NYR 1, WSH 2 (FINAL)
The Rangers were upset by a chippy Capitals team in game 1, as Joel Ward's late game heroics sparked the Caps. Alex Ovechkin's rocket wrist shot opened the series in the 1st, and you could already tell this was going to be a hard-fought, tight series. A deflection from Jesper Fast tied the game relatively late in the 3rd, and OT looked certain. Joel Ward would argue that, after Backstrom's controversial hit on Dan Boyle led to a stuff-in goal from Ward with under 2 seconds to go in the game. A great performance by Braden Holtby, who continues to show he is an elite goaltender. In game 1 we saw more of the new-look chippy Capitals, and they were able to outlast NY. Onto game 2.
GAME 2 - NYR 3, WSH 2 (FINAL)
The one-goal games continued for the Rangers, as they held off the Caps in another close game. They were able to get off to a 2-0 lead after Kreider & Boyle (PP) goals respectively. Evgeny Kuznetsov responded for the Caps in the 2nd, as he continues to cement his spot as the #2 center over there in Washington. Derick Brassard put home his 4th of the postseason in the 3rd, followed by an Ovi goal from the Caps. That was all they could muster, as the 3-2 score stood. These chippy games continue, as they do all series.
GAME 3 - WSH 1, NYR 0 (FINAL)
You think those chippy 1-goal games are going to continue? Yeah. Jay Beagle's second period goal was the only one in a 1-0 defeat. Holtby played absolutely stellar for Washington, as they took a 2-1 series lead here. I really like the new Capitals, the team that finishes every check, and plays these type of games - all kudos to Barry Trotz. Don't count out those Rangers, who continue to battle hard against this stingy Washington team.
GAME 4 - WSH 2, NYR 1 (FINAL)
This has to be the stingiest series I've ever witnessed. Another 1 goal game, and another goaltender battle. Holtby out-dueled Lundqvist once again, as the Caps took a commanding 3-1 series lead (will it hold though? Mmhmhm idk.) Derick Brassard opened the scoring in the second, followed by a response from Caps youngster Andre Burakovsky. Then 28 seconds into the 3rd, who else but Burakovsky to put the Caps up 2-1, as they held off the Rangers. Don Cherry did a piece on Burakovsky the following day, and that must feel good as Don doesn't usually praise Europeans. Andre blocked shots, scored goals, did all he could to make his presence felt in this one, and make his presence felt he did.
GAME 5 - NYR 2, WSH 1 (FINAL OT)
Heading back to NY, the caps had a chance to eliminate the Rangers, but they were unable to. Another 2-1 game, jeez this has to be some sort of record. It was scoreless until the 3rd, where the Caps depth stepped up as Curtis Glencross opened the scoring. Just when it looked like the Glencross goal might stand, Chris Kreider tied the game with under 2 minutes to go. We have OT folks! Less than halfway through, who else but the captain Ryan McDonagh to end it with a bomb from the line. This game the Rangers seemed to dominate a bit more, as Holtby just couldn't hold these guys off. Could the Caps respond back home in game 6?
GAME 6 - WSH 3, NYR 4 (FINAL)
No, as another 1 goal game goes by in favour of New York once again, as a game 7 is forced (exciting!) 2 first period goals from Chris Kreider (1 on the PP with 1 second left) game the Rangers a commanding 2-0 lead after 20. Jason Chimera responded for Washington in the second, cutting the lead in half. Now into the 3rd, a couple quick goals from Dan Boyle and Rick Nash put the Rangers up 4-1. Those Caps refused to give up, as they completely DESTROYED the Rangers in the final half of the 3rd, as Evgeny Kuznetsov and Joel Ward goals put them back within 1. I really thought they were going to tie it, but The King shut the door, as those relentless Rangers forced a 7 at Madison Square Garden.
GAME 7 - NYR 2, WSH 1 (FINAL OT)
Every goal in this series was won by 1 goal, that's chippy if I've ever seen it. The Rangers came all the way back from 3-1 down just like they did last year against Pittsburgh, and sent Ovi and the Caps home crying. The Caps did open the scoring, as it was the man himself Alex Ovechkin who dented the scoreboard first. The kid Kevin Hayes responded on the PP in the 2nd, as the game remained tied 1-1 until the end of regulation. A hard fought, close game and series as a whole was going to overtime. Game 7 OT is so fun to watch, I can't begin to explain it. Washington was dominating early in OT, and for a second I thought they might win. You can never count out those Rangers, as a Dan Girardi screen shot failed to get through, and it came right to Derek Stepan who ripped it past Holtby to win the series.
This series was so close and hard-fought, even though they blew the 3-1 series the lead the Caps exceeded all expectations made for them. Every game was so chippy (I've said that word more in this post than in my life) and so exciting but non-exciting at the same time to watch. In the end, the Rangers outlasted the Caps, as they continue to show why they won the Presidents Trophy. New York, we'll see you my friends in the Eastern Conference final vs. Tampa Bay.
Thanks for reading,
~UWNHL TEAM
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