Despite same result in Game 7 these werent same old Capitals

Perhaps the most common phrase in the organization and around water coolers throughout the D.C. area will be Not again. After the Caps lost a Game 7 to the for the third time in four seasons, its only natural.However, Wednesday nights 2-1 overtime lo s wasnt exactly the same. This series wasnt the same. These Capitals werent the same. It was only the outcome that https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/san-jose-sharks-jersey  was. Unfortunately for them, that's the most important thing.Over seven games, the Rangers and Capitals battled. The clubs split Games 1 and 2, then the Capitals won Games 3 and 4, before the Rangers stormed back with three straight wins, becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in consecutive seasons. The Caps whiffed on three tries to end the series, but they came dangerously close.Close isn't enough, obviously, but with a postseason history like Washington's, close can still represent progre s.  This series was crazy from start to finish.Goaltenders and were dominant throughout the second round. Each game was decided by one goal, two of which ended in overtime. On aggregate, the Rangers won the series by a combined score of just 13-12. It was as close to even as you could get.If the Capitals are looking for what they could attribute the lo s in Game 7 to, it wasnt a lack of effort. It wasnt a lack of talent. It wasnt even a grave error. It was simply a bounce.Sure, there were consecutive icings that brought two dangerous faceoffs into the Capitals zone, the last of which directly preceded s overtime winner, but it was really a friendly roll that gave Stepan his golden opportunity in the end.  Holtby had been so steady, so solid and so calm between the pipes that what happened on the game winner was probably the only way he was going to be beaten. s shot hit something or someone just the right https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/kelly-kisio-jersey  way to have the puck roll right to Stepan. If the puck had wobbled instead of settled, Stepan could have mi sed the net or not gotten enough on it. If it didnt hit anything in front, perhaps Holtby would have been in position instead of sitting on his backside unrecovered from the Girardi shot on which he was screened.The puck did what it did and Stepan did what he did and the Capitals did what has become an all too common occurrence in the postseason as they hung their heads.That's not to say the Rangers didn't earn their win, they did. Their resilience over the last three games is proof enough that they were worthy winners of the series, and they put themselves in the position they were in.  "I think we played great in overtime and had good chances, but one moment can end the series and end the game, Capitals captain said after the game.It also didn't help the Caps that Lundqvist was his superhuman self in Game 7. Washington's eight shots on goal in overtime helped add to the game-long total of 36, but Lundqvist stood tall. Several fluries in the extra frame could have changed everything as the Caps controlled 60 percent of the shot attempts in OT, displaying how frequently they had the puck.Lundqvist finished the game with 35 saves and his sixth consecutive Game 7 victory, which extended his NHL record.  Much was made before the game about Ovechkin'sguarantee that the Capitals would win Game 7. It was a bold proclamation, but it wasnt  https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/danil-gushchin-jersey born out of cockine s as had been widely suggested. It was belief in his team and that belief wasn't misplaced as evidenced by the Capitals' effort. However, the guarantee was left unfulfilled.Before anyone labels Ovechkin a playoff choker, he was the one who opened the scoring in Game 7 and the guy that put six shots on goal in over 21 minutes of ice time. He also was throwing his body all over the ice trying to make a physical impact. Hes also the same guy that has averaged just under a point-per-game in his playoff career. He has also posted an average of a goal every other game over his career.This lo s doesnt belong to Ovechkin any more than it does to anyone else on the team, and theres an argument that it really doesnt belong to any one player.  This year's performance was also a far cry from the last time the Caps met the Rangers in a Game 7 back in 2013. The Capitals were blown out of their own building with a 5-0 lo s. That roster wasnt nearly as good as this one. This year's version of the Capitals, even with its improved talent, had real fight in it. They also had structure and above all, they had a chance.This was a Capitals team that was not simply going to be pushed over. They were among the most physical teams in the entire postseason. They were deep, with production coming from all over the lineup instead of being overly reliant on the top line to do all the work. Head coach Barry Trotz exuded confidence on the bench and said all of the right things off the ice.Among the many qualities Trotz brought to the table, it was that he managed to have a great relationship with Ovechkin. There were no storylines regarding Ovechkin being a coach killer or that he was uncoachable at all. Trotz had taken control of that right away and reiterated his belief that Ovechkin was not only coachable, but a great leader. Ovechkins actions spoke louder than his or his coachs words in terms of his response to his head coach. He was an MVP candidate again.  After the game, Trotz had nothing but praise for his team, especially his star players. And there was no reason for him to say any different.I think my top https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/craig-coxe-jersey  guys delivered tonight, all the top guys delivered," said the Capitals head coach. "They were great today. They grew tonight."People went after Alex for saying what he did. He was really strong. He got our goal."  What will add to the sting of this even more is that the Caps were 1:41 away from winning this series back in Game 5. That was until Rangers forward 's shot glanced off 's skate and past Holtby. One moment, one bounce, different game. The Rangers won that one in overtime and set them on the course to this moment.Yes, the Capitals failed to advance past the second round for the seventh time in their last eight postseason appearances. Yes, they mi sed out on three opportunities to close this series out. Their conference finals drought has stretched into its 17th season and the organization has yet to win a Stanley Cup.None of that is good, but none https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/mike-hoffman-jersey  of it has to be permanent even if it seems like it could be in the face of another crushing defeat.  "You can talk history all you want," Trotz said. "This is a new group, this is a new team. Our organization is changing, but we're learning from our history. We're looking it right in the eye."This particular Capitals squad looked to have as good a chance as any of the previous ones to buck the trend. Sometimes the puck doesnt bounce your way.As Trotz said, Youre going to see the Washington Capitals back here again.  However next time, maybe  just maybe  the puck will cooperate and the effort will meet the opportunity to obliterate the narrative that this is a franchise that cant win. Its just going to be a long summer and a long season before they can prove the loser tag doesnt fit anymore.

Perhaps the most common phrase in the organization and around water coolers throughout the D.C. area will be Not again. After the Caps lost a Game 7 to the for the third time in four seasons, its only natural.However, Wednesday nights 2-1 overtime lo s wasnt exactly the same. This series wasnt the same. These Capitals werent the same. It was only the outcome that https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/san-jose-sharks-jersey was. Unfortunately for them, that's the most important thing.Over seven games, the Rangers and Capitals battled. The clubs split Games 1 and 2, then the Capitals won Games 3 and 4, before the Rangers stormed back with three straight wins, becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in consecutive seasons. The Caps whiffed on three tries to end the series, but they came dangerously close.Close isn't enough, obviously, but with a postseason history like Washington's, close can still represent progre s. This series was crazy from start to finish.Goaltenders and were dominant throughout the second round. Each game was decided by one goal, two of which ended in overtime. On aggregate, the Rangers won the series by a combined score of just 13-12. It was as close to even as you could get.If the Capitals are looking for what they could attribute the lo s in Game 7 to, it wasnt a lack of effort. It wasnt a lack of talent. It wasnt even a grave error. It was simply a bounce.Sure, there were consecutive icings that brought two dangerous faceoffs into the Capitals zone, the last of which directly preceded s overtime winner, but it was really a friendly roll that gave Stepan his golden opportunity in the end. Holtby had been so steady, so solid and so calm between the pipes that what happened on the game winner was probably the only way he was going to be beaten. s shot hit something or someone just the right https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/kelly-kisio-jersey way to have the puck roll right to Stepan. If the puck had wobbled instead of settled, Stepan could have mi sed the net or not gotten enough on it. If it didnt hit anything in front, perhaps Holtby would have been in position instead of sitting on his backside unrecovered from the Girardi shot on which he was screened.The puck did what it did and Stepan did what he did and the Capitals did what has become an all too common occurrence in the postseason as they hung their heads.That's not to say the Rangers didn't earn their win, they did. Their resilience over the last three games is proof enough that they were worthy winners of the series, and they put themselves in the position they were in. "I think we played great in overtime and had good chances, but one moment can end the series and end the game, Capitals captain said after the game.It also didn't help the Caps that Lundqvist was his superhuman self in Game 7. Washington's eight shots on goal in overtime helped add to the game-long total of 36, but Lundqvist stood tall. Several fluries in the extra frame could have changed everything as the Caps controlled 60 percent of the shot attempts in OT, displaying how frequently they had the puck.Lundqvist finished the game with 35 saves and his sixth consecutive Game 7 victory, which extended his NHL record. Much was made before the game about Ovechkin'sguarantee that the Capitals would win Game 7. It was a bold proclamation, but it wasnt https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/danil-gushchin-jersey born out of cockine s as had been widely suggested. It was belief in his team and that belief wasn't misplaced as evidenced by the Capitals' effort. However, the guarantee was left unfulfilled.Before anyone labels Ovechkin a playoff choker, he was the one who opened the scoring in Game 7 and the guy that put six shots on goal in over 21 minutes of ice time. He also was throwing his body all over the ice trying to make a physical impact. Hes also the same guy that has averaged just under a point-per-game in his playoff career. He has also posted an average of a goal every other game over his career.This lo s doesnt belong to Ovechkin any more than it does to anyone else on the team, and theres an argument that it really doesnt belong to any one player. This year's performance was also a far cry from the last time the Caps met the Rangers in a Game 7 back in 2013. The Capitals were blown out of their own building with a 5-0 lo s. That roster wasnt nearly as good as this one. This year's version of the Capitals, even with its improved talent, had real fight in it. They also had structure and above all, they had a chance.This was a Capitals team that was not simply going to be pushed over. They were among the most physical teams in the entire postseason. They were deep, with production coming from all over the lineup instead of being overly reliant on the top line to do all the work. Head coach Barry Trotz exuded confidence on the bench and said all of the right things off the ice.Among the many qualities Trotz brought to the table, it was that he managed to have a great relationship with Ovechkin. There were no storylines regarding Ovechkin being a coach killer or that he was uncoachable at all. Trotz had taken control of that right away and reiterated his belief that Ovechkin was not only coachable, but a great leader. Ovechkins actions spoke louder than his or his coachs words in terms of his response to his head coach. He was an MVP candidate again. After the game, Trotz had nothing but praise for his team, especially his star players. And there was no reason for him to say any different.I think my top https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/craig-coxe-jersey guys delivered tonight, all the top guys delivered," said the Capitals head coach. "They were great today. They grew tonight."People went after Alex for saying what he did. He was really strong. He got our goal." What will add to the sting of this even more is that the Caps were 1:41 away from winning this series back in Game 5. That was until Rangers forward 's shot glanced off 's skate and past Holtby. One moment, one bounce, different game. The Rangers won that one in overtime and set them on the course to this moment.Yes, the Capitals failed to advance past the second round for the seventh time in their last eight postseason appearances. Yes, they mi sed out on three opportunities to close this series out. Their conference finals drought has stretched into its 17th season and the organization has yet to win a Stanley Cup.None of that is good, but none https://www.sharksbelief.com/collections/mike-hoffman-jersey of it has to be permanent even if it seems like it could be in the face of another crushing defeat. "You can talk history all you want," Trotz said. "This is a new group, this is a new team. Our organization is changing, but we're learning from our history. We're looking it right in the eye."This particular Capitals squad looked to have as good a chance as any of the previous ones to buck the trend. Sometimes the puck doesnt bounce your way.As Trotz said, Youre going to see the Washington Capitals back here again. However next time, maybe just maybe the puck will cooperate and the effort will meet the opportunity to obliterate the narrative that this is a franchise that cant win. Its just going to be a long summer and a long season before they can prove the loser tag doesnt fit anymore.