(AP Photo/Nick Wass, file).
No one saw all that pain coming after the 2009 seventh game loss, when the Capitals were down 2-0 before fans were even in their seats at the Verizon Center, 4-0 two minutes into the second period and 6-2 when numerous Capitals fans were already on their way home.
Ottawa did the same thing on home ice in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead before the Rangers won twice at home. "Then again, every Game 7 is a different story". Probably not for the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks.
The Pittsburgh Penguins spent the better part of five games exploiting the few chances the Washington Capitals gave them, focusing on generating quality scoring chances while the Presidents' Trophy winners seemed more intent on quantity.
I dont know whether from coaching or playing whether you get into a mental block or not, said Bruce Boudreau, who coached in Game 7 four times with the Capitals and four times with the Ducks.
I think sooner or later this might be the fundamental question that will be addressed in a court of law. The Pens have scored 39 goals, averaging 3.55 per game.
- Marc-Andre Fleury has a.901 save percentage in five Game 7 appearances in his career, but that number is hurt by one performance.
"It wasn't the outcome we wanted", said defenseman Brian Dumoulin said of Game 6, "but it's a best-of-seven series for a reason". "Now it boils down to one". Washington scored in every period, scored twice on the power play, was flawless on the penalty kill, and needed just 26 shots on goal to score five times. It's our turn to serve, and holding serve means that we go on. If we dont hold serve, then its not what were looking for.. Trotz doesnt think itll have anything to do with history.
"I thought he was solid", Sullivan said. "I just think with this group that I've been with, our Game 7s have been pretty solid".
The concern is that Crosby's brain may not have fully healed from the previous concussion and that could have put him in a risky situation in Game 6.
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This place, now called PPG Paints Arena, fell silent for long stretches Monday night, and look who hit the mute button with authority.
The Pittsburgh Penguins led this Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-1 at one point, but the Washington Capitals have battled back to force a Game 7 which is set for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. PT.
The Predators won their ninth straight playoff game in Nashville going back to last postseason.
"I'm not sure if I believe in momentum from game to game", Niskanen said. Penguins' coach Mike Sullivan said in his post-game comments that Crosby in fact, did not go through the concussion protocol after the first period. "I'm not comfortable that he was allowed to continue playing".
"I felt good", Crosby said.
The NHL's concussion protocol for the 2016-17 season lists six situations that would warrant an "acute evaluation" for a possible concussion.
Fleury had stopped 133 of 142 shots through four games, making a mockery out of the core fundamental of hockey that having the puck more and putting it on net leads to success.
If the Capitals have found a hole on the goaltender's glove side they're not saying. "We just have to worry about winning one game".
Justin Williams has a chance to add to his legend as Mr. Just as troubling as the lack of pucks they've sent Holtby's way over the last two games is where those pucks have come from. He was diagnosed with a concussion the next day but missed just one game and returned for Game 5. That Detroit squad swept the Capitals in the Cup finals that season.
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