Carpe diem. Seize the day. That is and should be the goal for the Rangers tonight. The opportunity to clinch and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals is staring the team in the face; the mission is to do so.

What I have liked is that every Ranger has noted that they need to play with a sense of desperation. Forget that you are up 3-2 and think you are down 3-2 to help facilitate and foster that sense of desperation. Don't even consider that you have another game to get it done. The time for closing out Washington is tonight and why even risk a Game 7.

If any Capitals fan thinks that the Rangers or their fan base view tonight's game as a fait accompli and done deal, they don't know that team or us. There is no way that is even a thought in the remote recesses of any of our minds. In addition, given how Washington rebounded from the triple-OT loss in Game 3 to win Game 4, we all know that they are a resilient and mentally tough team. While we all would love to put our feet up, start celebrating early type of victory, to a man, we all expect a game that will come down to the final buzzer based on the first five games.

In addition, for all those talking about the next round and scheduling etc., don't expect any of that from me. As you all know, I don't believe in counting the money before appropriate. Deal with this game and hopefully clinching this round and then look forward to the future. If/when that happens, then I will concern myself with the team on the other side of the tunnel, until then, it's all Washington.

For the most part, history has not been a specific precursor to what will happen today. If based our view solely on history, then at the end of Game 4, we all would have expected the Rangers to fail to tie or win the game given how porous the PP had been. However, there are instances where a past action sort of leads to or is a strong indicator of what will happen. For example, consider the following based my comment above as to what to expect tonight. "Nine of the Rangers’ 12 playoff games have been decided by one goal, including four that were decided in overtime. The other three games were decided by two goals. The Blueshirts and Capitals have been separated by one goal in four of the five games this series, with two games requiring overtime." If that is not a pretty good indicator what to expect tonight, I don't know what is.

In addition, "the team that has scored the first goal of the game in this series is undefeated." Overall, New York has tallied the game’s first goal in eight games during the playoffs, posting a record of 6-2 in those contests. Obviously scoring first has tremendous benefits during the year, but especially in the playoffs when the checking and stress level rises. Tonight, the Capitals crowd will be at a new level as they try and will their team to victory. A first goal by them will increase the noise level. A goal by the Rangers will add to the pressure for Washington and could extinguish a bit of that energy and enthusiasm.

Possible combinations tonight, but with Torts, who knows how he will mix things up:


Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik
Artem Anisimov-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Derek Stepan-Brandon Prust
Chris Kreider-John Mitchell-Mike Rupp

(I expect Stepan to move up a line and Boyle to be on the third pairing. Plus, if Kreider gets off to a strong start, he could move up a line or two, depending on how others are playing)

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto-Stu Bickel

Lundqvist

Capitals lines/d-pairs:
Alex Ovechkin-Brooks Laich-Marcus Johansson
Jason Chimera-Nicklas Backstrom-Alex Semin
Matt Hendricks-Jay Beagle-Troy Brouwer
Mike Knuble-Keith Aucoin-Joel Ward

(despite not practicing this AM, Beagle is expected to play)

Karl Alzner-John Carlson
Roman Hamrlik-Mike Green
Jeff Schultz-Dennis Wideman

Holtby

(check out a great blog from Steve Hindle for the Capitals view)

One shift, one period, one game. Each player has to be concerned with winning their shift. Win enough shifts, then you probably win the period. Win the periods and then you likely win the game. Focus on today. Forget the past and don't think about the future. End the series tonight. We Are All Rangers.

Let's Go Rangers!!!

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