The difference between going 2-2 and 3-1

After Monday’s disappointing loss, the Caps take to the ice in MSG again to either take the decisive lead or split it down the middle.

The importance of game 4? Huge. If the Caps had won Monday night, they could take the series tonight. Since they didn’t, they have the ability to take a 3 game lead which could very easily lead to a series win in 5 games. If they lose tonight, the Rangers and Caps will be tied at 2 a piece,  forcing the series to go to at least a game 6.

Clearly, this game will be one of the most if not the most important game of the series. It decides who has the edge, especially with Washington returning to home turf after tonight, as well as how long the series will be which can become the difference between a team rested up and prepared for the second round or a team that’s had barely enough time to turn around.

The Caps holding ht series lead at 2-1 clearly show the Rangers only real threat over the Caps is Lundvquist. He’s come up big for the Rangers and there’s no doubt he will tonight. But with Staal back, the Caps can expect a little more coming from the Rangers lackluster defense. Otherwise, this game should be in the books for the Caps if they can stay focused and don’t get too comfortable with any lead. It is the Playoffs, after all.

Hopefully, the Caps will take New York seriously tonight to secure the win and the series lead. If not, it’s any team’s series.

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It ain’t over ’til it’s over…it’s over

For someone with usually so much to say. I’m speechless. Did that really just happen? Did the Caps really just lose in the second round? I just…don’t know what to say. I “should” be used to this bull crap. But I’m not. Who could be? It’s your team that you watched the entire year (except the games you missed because you were throwing your shoes at walls, but still) and now…they’re out.

The game. What is there to say? we lost 2-1 because the guys just couldn’t get the puck on net and the goalie who shall not be made was apparently mad eof steel. Caps, you played hard. I know you guys really worked your tushies off and I’m not angry. Just sad. Thanks for all your hard work this Playoff series. It was a tough loss, but I’ll always rock the red.

To all the people who read this (all less than 10 of you!) thanks for reading and all the support, you’re really helping me realize my dream of (hopefully) becoming a sports journalist one day. Thanks a lot and I hope you come back next season.

Au revoir.

CAN YOU HEAR US?! Oh, wait…that was last season

The Caps are actually playing…well. In the second round. Yes, this is for realz. Crazy business, I tell you! Even though I’m not Hunters biggest fan (he takes a bit to warm up to), he has really proven his style of play in the post season. And I must say, I’m most impressed.

If you’ll remember last year during the playoffs, game 4 ended in tears #IsItOctoberYet? hashtags, and much gnashing of teeth from Caps fans as the Lightning, of all teams, very well butchered the Caps in 4 games.

A memory the Caps hoped to erase today winning game 4 against the Broadway Blueshirts tying the series at 2 a piece. Considering New York got 1st in the East this season and the Caps got 7th (talk about role reversals, eh?), this has been a good series.

There have been some ups and downs, game 1 was a bit of a bummer, late nights, I’ll take a 3 OT and a Pepsi, please. These teams seem to favor multi-OT games, remember the “Chimeracle on 34th St.”? And, of course, some awesomesocks goalie matchups. Can you believe the Caps “rookie” goalie is the only goalie in the Eastern Conferance Playoffs to have not lost two games in a row? Yeah,  me either.

It isn’t just Braden “brick wall” Holtby leading the Caps to victory, but the other players have really stepped up. The defense is more present and in the zone helping ward off goal-hungry Rangers with the puck and the offense has done a great job of pressing the attack and putting shots on net, which lead to goals.

Good win today boys (and thank the hockey gods you guys kept in regulation), just keep doing what you’re doing and you never know, you could be invited to the White House this summer.

PS- Go check out @TheDugsSports blog (http://capsbasketball.blogspot.com/)It’s a great Caps blog and I write pregames for him.

what the Caps defense was really doing Sunday afternoon…

We all know something happened during sudden death that fateful Sunday aftrnoon. Was it a defensive collapse? Signals crossed? Well, I’m here to tell you what REALLY happened.

After Mojo had his so-close-lose-your-breath-near goal, the defense decided that their pregame Lasagna was wearing thin and a trip to Arby’s would be a better use of their time than helping out Holtby in his end. It went a little something like this;

Hamrlik: Wides, bro, I’m stahving. Wanna go grab some Arby’s?

Wideman: OMG great idea, Hammer! Let’s ask Mojo if he wants some!

Hamrlik: Yoo, Moj, want some Arby’s? They have a coupon deal going on with their curly fries

Johannsonn: No way, brah! I’ve been wanting that curly, deep-fried perfection since the second! Count me in

Backstrom: You guys hitting Arby’s? cause, man, I could kill for one of those chocolate pastry thingys. Like my mama used to make ’em!

Holtby: Uhh guys, there’s this giant on skates coming towards me…help?

Ovechkin: You go to Arby’s? SICKK)))))get me a mocha shake, boys!

Holtby: Mocha shake?!

*Seguin gets the puck and scores*

Hamrlik: I guess we can’t go to Arby’s now…I really wanted a reuben too *sad face*

That, Caps fans, is how it went down. If the guys can plan their lunch dates after the game, we have a real chance at winning. LET’S DO THIS THING, CAPS! And, get your Arby’s later. Please.

IT’S PLAYOFF TIME!!

THE PLAYOFFS ARE HERE PEOPLE!! THE CAPS ARE FACING THE BROADWAY BLUESHIRTS IN HOPES OF A RE-Wait, what? The Caps are playing the Bruins? Mushrooms…*gulp* well, as I was saying, the Caps are in the Playoffs! The day I never thought would happen is! *happy dance* Ok, let’s get down to business, folks.

The question is; who are these skating bumble bees and what do they want from us?

These bumblers go by the name of the Boston Bruins, residing in a place they call TD Garden named after the bank promoted by that really annoying guy. They dress in gold and black, bearing the resemblance of bumble bees. But they’re named after bears (wait,what?).

I is bumble bee and bear!

They have the likes of Chara, Marchand, Seguin, Lucic, and Thomas in between the pipes heading their tough as nails ’11 Cup champs. Am I the only one who’s afeared of these skating fashion disasters? (granted, not as bad as Philly or Nashville, but still)

Let us have faith, red nation, the Caps won their series against Boston in the regular season. Granted, the Caps are notorious for kicking ass in the regular season and rolling over dead in the Playoffs, but maybe going backwards (kinda) will result in a shiny, silver thing.

What can we expect Thursday? I have no freaking idea. I’m not a psychic, I can’t even remember tomorrow’s forecast. Let’s just hope it involves some major Bruins tushy kicking.