This best-of-seven series is becoming more heated each minute that gets played. The Rangers and Caps are dueling every single night trying to get that extra advantage, which leads us to the tie we have right now with both teams with two wins.
Along with the heat of each game, my blood pressure continues to rise. I'm a 20-year-old healthy boy who feels like his heart is one day going to just go *PFFFT* and explode out of his chest watching Rangers hockey one day. This team that had all of these good fortunes going on in the regular season is now scrambling for wins and goals, and it's not fun to watch, believe me. But, whatever gets it done, do it I suppose.
Now, onto the game. The Rangers dropped the last game against the Caps after a late Mike Green goal game them the advantage 3-2. The Caps held that lead by blocking shots and keeping the Rangers out of the slot. In turn, the Rangers were not able to solve Braden Holtby, and the Caps took Game 4.
The main reason why the Rangers won the triple overtime game was because Marian Gaborik finally went to the front of the net and tucked the pass from Brad Richards in. The Capitals figured out that plan and executed their counter-attack perfectly. Then, when the Rangers went to the point, they got in the way of shots like the Rangers have done all season. Keeping them off the board, and out of threatening positions.
For tonight's game, the Rangers are going to need a few keys to win.
Keys to Victory
Be Better than Luck: A lot of swirling talks have gone on saying that the Rangers haven't been getting the calls they deserve in the past two series'. Sometimes, it is better to be lucky than good, but tonight, the Rangers need to strive to be better than lucky. If the Caps are going to get all of the supposed calls they are getting, the Rangers need to back it up with their skill. Hopefully, the puck will bounce their way once and they can ride that to a victory.
Go to the Dirty Areas: SOMEONE GET IN FRONT OF THE GODDAMN NET! That is what I hear every game watching with my father who has pointed out one of the major flaws why the Rangers are having so much trouble. The first game of the series found the Rangers doing everything right, being in the right place at the right time which lead them to a Game 1 victory. I know I sound like a broken record, but now it is time to channel the success that went on in that first game and build off of it. Make Braden Holtby's life a living hell trying to stop pucks. If that doesn't happen, the Rangers will lose this game.
Get the Early Lead: This series, the Rangers have only scored one goal in the 1st period of all four of their previous games. Do they not understand how draining an early lead can be to the other team? Goals need to come early in this one to establish a hole for the Capitals that they will have to climb out of if they want to win. And if they can win that way, then they deserve it.
Enjoy the game!
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