Capitals fall once against to the New York Rangers
Not every story has a happy ending, and the Washington Capitals found that out yet again when they faced off with the New York Rangers for about the one-thousandth time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After the joy and jubilation that came with a game seven win over the Islanders, many believed that this might just be the Caps’ year. They could finally beat the Rangers, ride the high through the Eastern Conference Finals, and then there would be nothing stopping a hungry Ovechkin and his Capitals.
With a somewhat shocking 3-1 series lead, it was looking like that was almost a certainty. However, as we know, nothing is certain with the Washington Capitals. Midway through the third period, a trade deadline acquisition, Curtis Glencross, became a hero after scoring his first goal of the playoffs. The Caps hadn’t moved past the second round of the playoffs since 1997-98, when they made their one and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance. It was just another demon to defeat, and Glencross had done it. Or so we thought.
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A game-tying goal by Rangers forward Chris Kreider with just 1:41 separating Washington from a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals would send Washington into an overtime session, still with a chance to move on. Glencross tried to play hero again.
He saw a streaking Brooks Laich on his right, moving along the boards waiting for a pass that could have sprung him on a rush towards Henrik Lundqvist to end the series. Instead, his pass was blocked, sending play the opposite way where a series of passes ended in a slap shot from Ryan McDonagh which beat Braden Holtby, allowing the Rangers to live to fight another day. Glencross had played the hero, and then the goat.
The following game six ended in a blowout, yet again leaving the Capitals in a familiar place heading into game seven. It was here where Derek Stepan would end those hopes, once again leave the Capitals hanging their heads, wondering what could have been. It was by far the most shocking, painful moment of the season for the Washington Capitals, especially given how close they had come.
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