Pushed To The Brink Once Again, The Cardiac Caps Find A Way, Finally, In Overtime.

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Series tied 3-3



There was no write up on the previous game yesterday, because me being at times superstitious as I am during the playoffs, wanted to change many things up yesterday. So, one of those changes also included no pre game write up. That may once again be the case for tomorrows game.

Once again, the Cardiac Capitals pushed themselves and their fans to the brink. The Capitals facing yet another elimination game in this years NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Caps also once again, found a way to extend the season, even if it is only for one more game. It was a must win once again, and once again the Capitals found themselves going into a sudden death, deciding overtime. The Caps have gone to overtime twice in this series, and lost both of those games. Not this time. It was game 3 of this series when the Capitals David Steckel had a fantastic chance to end that game and take the Caps up 3 games to nothing on the Pens in this series. Steckel found himself alone, in front of a gaping wide open Penguins net, with the puck on his stick, and some how, missed the net. Steckel vowed if he had that chance again, that it would end differently. He had that rare second chance last night, perhaps not in such grand fashion, but he did exactly what he vowed to do. In stead of letting an opportunity slip by, Steckel tipped a shot from Brooks Laich, past Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury at 6:22 of the first overtime. The Capitals bench erupted and flooded the ice, in front of the stunned Pens fans at Mellon Arena, much to the delight of Caps fans all across the country.

The Capitals did play better once gain, but still not quite good enough for comfort. The Caps were once again outshot in the game 42-25, and had just 5 shots on goal in a very disappointing first period that would see the Pens jump out to the lead first. Had it not been for Simeon Varlamov who made 17 saves in that first period, the Penguins might have buried Washington for good before the end of it. Once again, it looked to be a long and sad night for the Caps and their fans against their long time nemesis. However, the Caps had other things in mind, and true to form in elimination games, came out for the 2nd and third periods at time s controlling play, and taking the lead for themselves twice. It was the Pens who were backed into a corner at home in the third period, and it was the Pens who would force the over time period. Once again, the deciding factor in this game has to be Simeon Varlamov. Varlamov played a fantastic game, and perhaps if it were not for him, the Caps may not be looking forward to game 7 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. tomrrow night.

While it was David Steckel who played the overtime hero and scored the winner, there were several other Capitals who stepped up and deserve credit for their contributions. Viktor Kozlov picked up his first two goals of the series, Alexander Semin had two assists, while Alex Ovechkin had 3 assists.

The Capitals now find themselves with the chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a victory on home ice tomorrow night. A win in game 7 would also would give Washington only its second series victory over Pittsburgh in eight all-time meetings. Finally, maybe, something is starting to go right. In the Capitals last 7 elimination games under coach Bruce Boudreau, they are 6 wins, and one loss. Could this trend finally mean things are turning a corner for the Caps and their faithful? Could the ghosts of choking dogs past be fading away? Tomorrow night will go along way in determining if that is the case, or if those old playoff ghosts of choking dogs past, are still haunting this franchise. Get out there and ROCK THE RED and support our beloved Caps, wherever you are!

LET'S GO CAPS ! ! !