Let’s do this, ladies and gents.  After two nail biters in Beantown, the Capitals return from Boston with a tied series, some defensive momentum, and a confident goalie.  

Let’s start with the defense.  Each game has been close and tightly played, and it seems to be working in the Capitals advantage.  Game 1 was lost on an odd man rush, something the Caps had held in check the first 61 minutes.  They won Game 2 by playing even better defense, eventually putting a second goal home after some great cycle work.  The Capitals seem determined to hold the league’s second-best offense in check, and unlike the team who lost so many lopsided affairs in the regular season, they are.  This may be the best post-season hockey played by a Washington squad since Ovechkin came to town.  The goals will come when the top line isn’t facing Zdeno Chara, possibly the best defenseman in the league, and one who directly counters Ovechkin’s signature moves with his exceptionally long reach.  For now, I love the effort he (and all his teammates watching the C on his sweater) are putting out.  Ovechkin is reveling in the contact, seeking out Chara and his linemate Seidenberg for collisions akin to train wrecks.  I’m not worried about the offense at all, they’re playing the right way and will eventually be rewarded.  If you expected Tim Thomas to turn into a sieve, I’m sorry.  

Pittsburgh can keep their 4-goals-and-a-loss games to themselves, I’d much rather see the Caps play buttoned up and win.  It’s still a long way to go before we can look ahead, but for now lets enjoy a team that looks like it has finally learned how to play playoff hockey.

Some other quick notes:

• would love to see Joel Ward earn some of that money we’re paying him
• Braden Holtby is turning in yet another great performance by a Capitals   untested young goalie
• great to see Backstrom score
• if you’re reading this and going to the game, you could do worse than RMNB’s signs and masks for some Tim Thomas mockery.  In case you’ve forgotten, Tim Thomas snubbed a certain resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Regardless of your political leanings, this could make for a hilarious crowd picture.  And if it bother Free Citizen Timmy, well, that offense could turn around faster than expected.

As always, 
Rock the Red and UNLEASH THE FURY!!!