Knuble's OT Antics Deflate Caps


When Mike Knuble scored 6 minutes into the 2nd OT on Thursday, he broke alot of Capitals' fans hearts.

Washington had played its strongest game of the series, only to have their efforts evaporate on Knuble's double rebound attempt.

The Capitals were deserving of a better result, but the Flyers and their dominant physical play have had a strong grip on this series since Game 2.

Bruce Boudreau's coaching changes payed off as he got a better performance from the Caps. Although the results were not what "Gabby" was looking for, he knows that his team is ready for another strong performance and that the Capitals will not go out without a fight.

With a shot at redemption this afternoon, the Caps will have to throw everything they have at the Flyers to force a Game 6.



Washington Hitting a Wall?


At the beginning of this series, I predicted that the Capitals would take this series in 6 games. I felt strongly that Washington's momentum would outweigh Philadelphia's. Yet, facing the most physical team in the Eastern Conference playoffs may very well have proven to be the most difficult task these Capitals could have faced.

I felt the Caps held the advantage in game breakers and goaltending, yet the Flyers have drawn on their experienced players to provide exactly those things. Philly's goaltending has been excellent, while Huet has struggled.

Cristobal has been phenomenal at times, with two of the hugest saves I have seen in awhile against the Flyers on Thursday, but it is plain to see that his energy levels are being sapped and that he is not as fresh as when he was acquired at the deadline.

As for the game breakers, Philly's vets have been the difference. Briere, Prospal and Knuble have been dynamite for the Flyers, while the Caps youthful corps have struggled against the veteran Flyers.

I believed that home ice advantage would also be crucial in the first two games, yet when Philly stole Game 2, they regained home ice advantage and certainly, the momentum. They have been able to keep their confidence going and have not looked back.

Bill Meltzer suggests that, in the playoffs, you must withstand the opponents greatest efforts in order to move on in a series. Hopefully, Thursday wasn't everything that Washington had to throw at Philly and that this afternoon they will be able to surprise the Flyers.

Otherwise, these Flyers may very well be celebrating a series win in front of a SEA OF RED.



Game 5


The Caps need to take advantage of special teams. Their power play found some success in Game 5 and will need to be the deciding factor for the Caps to get out to a lead.

A key for the Caps to win this afternoon's game will be for them to try and get out to a 2 goal lead. The Caps play a much stronger game when they get out to an early lead and it is much easier to defend a 2 goal lead, than a 1 goal lead.

Steve Eminger will be back in the lineup for this afternoon's game. As I metioned prior to Game 5, he can be an X-factor. He played a strong game in Game 5, getting the Caps out to a 3-2 lead and also played a very strong physical game. Something that the Capitals have been lacking.

There is not much that needs to be said.

Washington has been suffering from their own lack of grit and the Flyers have taken advantage of it. The Caps played a much stronger physical game on Thursday and were able to challenge the Flyers. They will need to outhustle the Flyers in much the same way today.

With a win this afternoon, Washington can give themselves another shot at redemption.

They need to reel off 3 straight wins to advance to the next round, yet elimination has not stopped these Capitals this year, They thrive in the face of adversity and this afternoon's game on home ice must be the wake up call they need.

I expect nothing less than for this team to put forth their strongest effort all season. They know they will have to dig deeper than they have all year to come up with a win, but if there is anything the Capitals have been able to do well this year, it has been overcoming expectations.



Caps Notes

Better Under Pressure


– Washington skates into Game 5 this afternoon trailing Philadelphia 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Crunch time has arrived for the Capitals, who won Game 1 in D.C. before dropping the last three. The Capitals are facing their biggest challenge of the year today at Verizon Center. Washington is no stranger to high-pressure games; in fact it was only two weeks ago the Caps found themselves in a similar circumstance. With the Southeast Division title on the line, Washington needed at least a point to clinch their first postseason berth since 2003 when they hosted Florida at Verizon Center. The Caps put on an impressive performance, defeating the Panthers 3-1, securing their first division title since 2001. This team has overcome the odds before, winning 11 of their last 12 regular-season games to make the playoffs and will look to extend its season with a win today.



20-20 vision?


– Twenty years ago Wednesday night, Dale Hunter scored an overtime goal in Game 7 against the Flyers to cap off a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit and give the Capitals a series win in the Patrick Division semifinals. That marked the only time in franchise history that the Capitals have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. Washington won Game 5 that season, 5-2, after suffering an overtime loss in Philadelphia two nights before.


More comebacks


– Twenty teams have come back from 3-1 series deficits in NHL history (in 223 occurrences, entering this year).

Head coach Bruce Boudreau has led a team back from a 3-1 deficit once before, in the 1999 ECHL finals, when his Mississippi team defeated Richmond in seven games.



Sweet home


– Verizon Center has been sold out for nine of the last 13 games (9-3-1 in that time), including each of the last seven home games.



Power surge


– The Capitals scored two power-play goals Thursday night in Game 4, matching their total from the first three games combined. Washington was 2-for-4 in Game 4 and 2-for-16 in Games 1-3.



Young guns


– The oldest Capitals player to record a point in Thursday's Game 4 was Brooks Laich, 24.



Playoff District


– The Capitals and the Wizards are both in the playoffs for the first time since 1988. The Wizards tip off in Cleveland for Game 1 at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

ROCK THE RED

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Go Caps!!!!!