Just Win

So this was Bruce Boudreau's plan to let the Montreal Canadiens take it to 7 games, right? After a disaster of Game 6, and a not much better Game 5, the Washington Capitals will take on Les Habitants in Game 7 tonight at the Verizon Center. The winners of the President Cup against the 8 seed. This is not how it was supposed to go.

With Alex Semin outshooting everyone in the playoffs, but trailing virtually everyone in scoring, the Caps have lost one scorer. Add Tom Poti out 2-3 weeks with an eye injury at the end of the 2nd period in Game 6, and lackluster defense all together, there is a sense of worry in Washington. About the only Caps playing well are Varlamov and Carlson, but it takes an entire team to win in the playoffs.

From local radio talk this morning, many are saying the Caps are "due". Semin is "due" to score. Ovechkin is "due" to breakout. Green is "due" to step up. It comes down to this one game. The team that was projected to win the Stanley Cup by many now looks like a team in trouble. The Capitals have to score first tonight to put the pressure on presumed starting goaltender Halak. Varlamov has to put on yet another incredible performance in the Caps net. Most importantly, the defense needs to play up to their standards without the injured Poti and the Alex's have to score. An exit this early from the playoffs will be one of the greatest choke jobs in local sports history. Let's not let that happen.