I am nervous I will admit that. I really don't want the season to end tonight. I want more hockey. I want another chance at the SC. I have been on the Caps the past few months and thought they had a very good team this year, and it might be their time to make a good playoff run finally. I worry that OV knows how big this game is for him personally, and I expect him to play like that. Add in his "guarantee" maybe giving him and his team a little extra jump. I get a little concerned that the Rangers have been so good in game 7's, and elmination games overall, and especially elmination games at MSG that maybe they are bound to lose one at some point. Maybe after 2 straight L's the Caps come in extra focused. Maybe after getting the series to 7 games the Rangers have a little let down tonight and the Caps come out fired up and get an early lead. These things worry me. I think the Caps are a really good team that is determined to win this series and not choke away another big lead. That's why I believe the winner of this game has a very good shot to beat TB. I think the Rangers will win, but just like every game from game 3 on I think this one is a total coin flip that could go either way. I expect it to be a 2-1 or 3-2 type game. Not a lot of scoring. Most likely a one goal game. A game that is a slight edge us, but a game that I fully believe the Caps can win and will be ready to play and bring their A game. If the Caps get the 1st goal I think we will be in for a total dogfight. If we get the 1st goal, and play with the lead for a little while, I think doubt starts to creep into the Caps minds. I am also curious about the start. Do the Rangers have that extra energy being home in this spot usually adds OR do the Caps have extra jump after a great finish to game 6 and the Rangers maybe being a little flat. Excited...but nervous. Not going to lie. I expect a W, but the Caps can win and will play well IMO.
Pretty much sums it up Chuck. Xanax and Irish Whiskey are on the menu tonight. Got my six month old Grandson wearing his first ranger jersey.
Lundqvist has been lights out in game sevens, no reason to think this will be any different. As AV said, there is no-one in the game more focused and prepared than him. This gives us a significant edge I think. Of course the game can go either way, but somehow we must enjoy what we have here, four seasons of awesome inspired playoff hockey, with a chance to win the cup each year. There are about 25 other fanbases that would kill for that, we have to find a way to enjoy what this team is doing, win or lose tonight. My son, who is a goalie, has permission to wear his Lundqvist jersey in an exhibition game tonight (and he is gauranteeing a shutout against their arch-enemy), I KNOW this is going to bring me luck.
I think most fans do enjoy it and appreciate the run the past few seasons. With that said I don't think I will enjoy it win or lose tonight, but overall you have to appreciate what this team has done starting in 2012. But tonight...is all about tonight and the 2015 playoff run....
Agreed Mess. Just got tickets for game 2 against TB...if there is a game 2...LOL. $460 a pop. I want to be at that game...I expect it to be Monday or Tuesday night.
it would be a terribly disappointing season if it ends tonight. After going to the SCF last year and winning the Prez trophy this year a 2nd round outing would be awful. I'm confident this team can and will win tonight given the amount of pressure on the Caps + Henrik but the possibility always exists that the Caps win it tonight. The Rangers keep playing with fire with tight series after tight series and at some point they may get burnt.
To be honest that is my biggest concern 31, along with OV playing like he is on a mission tonight potentially. You keep playing with fire you may get burned. All these elmination game wins overall, and all the game 7 wins, and all the consectutive elmination wins at MSG (haven't been elminated on Garden ice since 2007). You keep going down this road and at some point you will get burned. That is what has me extra nervous for tonight.
Honestly OV doesn ever play on a mission consistently. Besides 2008-09 when he has 11g and 21 points in 14 games he hasn't scored more than 5g in a playoff year . This year he has 4.
Way too much thinking going on today. Holtby has played out of his mind till the last 2 minutes of Game 5. And then the Rangers figured him out. Instead of delaying the shot so Holtby could set up, the Rangers started blasting one timers. That the key tonight. Nothing else. The rest is a bunch of garbage worrying. One time the Puck at Goal Tonight! Rangers Win!!!
The whole board is getting the vine that they'll win... Rangers have more pedigree than the Caps... Rangers win!!
Always nervous for Game 7's The much I am sure of: The core of this team knows how to win these games. Doesn't mean they will but I like their chances at home, with Hank and with the resolve of the team. Whats funny about Ovechkin's guarantee is historically the Caps do NOT know how to win these games. We will see though he is extremely dangerous, but generally its the lesser players that decide G7's not the studs. Also, I would be completely shocked if Hank doesn't play his best game of the series tonight but that doesn't mean they will win. I agree with previous posters that the 1 timers on Holtby appear to be a good formula for success. I can see our Dmen having success from shooting from the point tonight on 1 timer feeds. For years this team has not shot enough 1 timers they need to tonight. Here is hoping Nash has some confidence too, what was lost on the frantic stressful game 6 win was the goal Nash scored in the 3rd put them up 3-1 and that was his biggest post season goal of his career IMO. He needs to attack and go to the net strong like Kreider. I will say 3-1 win, I really really really hope we don't have OT
Wherever I went today......at the mall, at the doctor's office, at Walmart, at the pizza stand........all the talk is about the Rangers in Game 7. Unmistakenly, millions of Ranger fans got the buzz. Wearing my Girardi jersey. Met fellow fans also wearing Ranger jerseys. One older guy was wearing a Gilbert jersey autographed. Great atmosphere north of New York City. I am optimistic.
Like MSL said in one of the papers today. Just gotta get through the first few shifts and then play your game. It's just a hockey game.
It's crazy, I just have this very nervous feeling and have had it all day. I hope it isn't a bad omen. I think it has to do with the respect I have for the Caps as a team. They are a real good team IMO. Score the first goal and I'll feel a whole lot better. This is going to be a rough night, I hate playoff hockey...LOL.
I'm sort of with you Chuck, on feeling like after getting even and all the game 7's being pulled out in recent years maybe one goes the other way. Though in those other game 7's against Ottawa and the few against Wash i didn't feel great about it either. I did think they'd beat Pitt on the road last year. Hard to tell, especially when every game is to the wire.
