Do or Die Tonight

So the Caps had a much better game on Saturday night. However, they still ended up losing at home and now have to go back to Pittsburgh down 3 games to 2 and their season on the line. They definitely played better Saturday and took a 1 goal lead into the third period but lost it. Ovie was able to tie it with 5 minutes left and it was sent into OT and I felt good that they would come out on top and they had a chance only 20 seconds into OT when Steckel had a wide open look from close range but he mishit it and he missed the net.

Malkin ended up getting the game winner about 5 minutes into OT on an intended pass that richocheted off of Poti's stick right into the Caps net. It's unfortunate and the second time we have lost like that in OT in this series but typically that's what happens in OT. It's a fluke goal or unlucky bounce or something like that that ends it. Sudden death OT in playoff hockey is some of the most intense moments in all of sports and you just hope that you can come out on top.

Whatever. After taking a 2 games to none lead in this series, we find ourselves where we are and it's a must win for us tonight in Pittsburgh where we have not played well in this series. Hopefully we can find a way to pull out the victory and bring this back to D.C. Frankly, there is a lot of pressure on Pittsburgh as well. They won't want to come back to D.C. and getting that fourth victory in a series is always the toughest.

For the Caps, we need another great performance from Varly. We also need heroics from Ovie but need for others to step up and get goals. The question is who is going to step up. Again, we need Green to start playing. The Caps tried to inject him more into the offense on Saturday and maybe that is what is needed. Maybe Federov should play more defense as he is very good setting up plays and playing the point. However, his speed is a liability. That's the other thing. WAY too often in this series the Pens have had odd man rushes. That has got to stop. We have got to find a way to slow down and limit their number of shots. The Caps all season have typically outshot their opponents but we are getting killed in that department in this series. That's a tough spot to put our young goalie in. Boudreau is a great coach but I kind of feel like we are being outcoached in this series.

Bottom line is that we need a win. There is no other way around it. We have to find a way to win this game. I love what the Bruins were able to do last night down 3-1 in their series. They blew out the Hurricanes. We need a game like that tonight to get some momentum back. We need to play with reckless abandon and throw everything out there tonight. We have no choice because there may be no tomorrow.

LET'S GO CAPS!!!