Playoff Prescription: Round 2 Rangers vs. Capitals Game 6

The final two teams battling for contention will try to even, or end their series tonight, as the Rangers and Capitals take to the Washington ice.

The Rangers took away a victory from the Capitals in Game 5 after Brad Richards put a puck past Braden Holtby in the dying seconds of the 3rd period to force overtime, where a blast from Marc Staal ended the game swiftly to give the Rangers the advantage in the series.

Now, all of the pressure is on the Capitals. A loss like the one the Rangers handed them is so crushing to a teams morality, but it can easily be turned into motivation for the following game. The two teams the Capitals could show up as tonight are a team who is deflated and has given up hope, or a team rejuvenated looking for redemption to force a Game 7.

Same can be said for the Rangers. If they are not prepared to deal with the over-energized Capitals team, they will have a hard time figuring them out, and could potentially drop this game. The Rangers need to avoid distraction, and keep a level head so they do not give them a chance to come back into the game.



Keys to Victory

Crisp Passes: I don't know about anyone else out there, but watching these past five games, I've noticed that the Capitals are the superior team when it comes to completing passes. Every pass seems to be on the tape, meanwhile the Rangers can hardly complete a cycle as the puck always manages to get by at least one of them to ruin the passes. A coach once told me the assist is just as important than the goal, if not more. Passes are what start a play, and if the Rangers can execute some awesome passes, while still taking the shots they need to, they can definitely win this game.

Make it More than a One Goal Game: If there is ever a time to pile it on, it's during the playoffs. Ever since Game 1 of this series, every game since has been decided by one goal. Building a lead so big it is impossible to overcome is the goal, not to squeak out a victory every single night. And while the Rangers have proven they are still capable of winning in such conditions, it is going to wear them down. One goal games are never comfortable, which is why they need to get their scoring going early and often in this game.

Stay On Your Feet: Another thing I have noticed is the continuation of Rangers diving on the ice trying to make plays when standing up is clearly a viable option. If a players misses a play when diving, by the time the same player gets up, the opposition could be seven strides away from him breaking to the net. It's easier to play the game on your feet than on your stomach.

Predictions


I think the New York Rangers are energized. They got a dramatic win that has given them new life. How often in the NHL Playoffs have we seen a team take an important game, and turn it into motivation for the rest of the playoffs? I think their win over the Caps in Game 5 is going to serve them well tonight, and I truly feel they ill win by more than one goal. Let us hope for the best tonight, Rangers fans!

Enjoy the game!