C-A-P-S! CAPS! CAPS! CAPS!!!

So the odds were against them being down in the series 3-1. Only 9% of teams in those situations have come back to win the series but last night the Caps overcame the odds and pulled out a 2-1 win to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Frankly, we were lucky to advance. For the majority of the game, we were outplayed by the Rangers. They definitely beat us the first two periods. Var-LA-mov made some very good early game saves to keep us in the game but he still let in one goal that he had very little chance of stopping. I started worrying because it looked like it was going to be a blowout. What also got me was that I was saying before Game #6 that I would rather lose Game #6 in NY than win that one, come back to D.C. having fought back from a 3-1 series deficit and play for a decisive Game#7 only to lose at home. The way it was going early was conjuring up images of Kelly Hrudey, Pat LaFontaine, Ron Hextall, Pierre Turgeon, Martin Biron, Daniel Briere, Tom Barrasso, the Easter Epic and all those other guys and games that have killed the Caps and ended great Caps seasons in disappointing fashion.

However, when we tied it up on Semin's fluke goal, I started thinking this is going to be one of those games where we are getting outplayed but we might be lucky enough to pull it out by being lucky. Period 2 was scoreless despite some quality scoring chances by both teams. In the break between Periods 2 and 3, I was thinking that if the Rangers score first, it's over. Game #7 reminded me a lot of the games we have lost in this series. We just looked tired and lethargic and we are not setting up screens or being aggressive. We are taking low percentage shots from the point with no one there for rebounds. In the games we have won, we looked totally different. Again, last night looked like one of those games we have played when we have lost. Also, very disappointing was the play of Mike Green. For whatever reason, he looked tentative. There have been games in these playoffs where he has looked tentative and apprehensive which is not like him. I know they mentioned a couple of games ago that he wasn't feeling well but that's no excuse. It's the playoffs and last night could have been the last game of the season and you got to lay it all out there. I do remember in last year's playoffs, he made a couple of critical mistakes where he tried to do too much and ended up giving up bad turnovers so maybe he was worried about making a mistake but again you can't play like that.

Despite our lack of play, crafty veteran Sergei Federov came up huge with 5 minutes left to score the game winner. What was interesting about him and his goal was not more than a few minutes before the goal Smokin' Al Koken was talking about how he interviewed Federov before the game because of his playoff experience and especially his Game #7 experiences to get his take on this Game #7 and Koken said that you just knew that Federov "would have something to say before this game is over." Great call by Koken.

Again, after all the disappointing Caps seasons I have watched growing up, I almost expected to be disappointed again but winning last night was tremendous. After having such a great season, to lose in the first round would have been devastating. I'm glad that we were able to pull it out and maybe the comeback will be what we need to propel us deeper into the playoffs. The good news is that I think we are getting our mojo back and also that we are getting tremendous goaltending play from Varly. Defense has also stiffened up. I like Pothier in there instead of Schultz and Jurcina did a tremendous job on Avery last night. I also like the veteran leadership from Poti. Can't say enough about Erskine. We just need for Green to play the way he did in the season.

The best part is that we get to go up against the Penguins. The NHL got their dream series. You get the top three points leaders to face against each other in Ovie, Malkin, and Crosby. You also get guys that don't like each other. I loved it when Ovie gave Crosby a shove and Crosby tried to grab Ovie and Ovie kind of manhandled Crosby and then dismissed him. Also, how Ovie seems to almost go out of his way to hit Malkin any chance he can get. Those two used to be roomates on the Russian national team but apparently they had a falling out and Ovie is just out to get Malkin. It's so bad that Malkin has said that he doesn't even know why Ovie is like that and can't understand why Ovie is always trying to hit him. They did have some reconciliation at the All Star game thanks to a third party but I expect those two to be back at it again. I also love that Semin said that he didn't see what the big deal was with Crosby and basically called him overrated. Crosby has said that he doesn't care for Ovie's celebrations and Ovie has said that Crosby talks too much and likes that Crosby doesn't care for his celebrations. Bottom line, this is the series we all wanted and now we are going to get it. This is the series I want to win. I expect a lot more intensity and I expect to win this series.

Lets go CAPS!!! UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!