Caps Briefing: The Rematch

Simeon Varlamov posted amazing numbers throughout his NHL season, but his total regular season experience is less than half of his playoff experience. He has a strong winning record in both, but where it counts, in game sevens, he is only 1-1. Perhaps the pressure of the spotlight on a truly global stage was too much, even for a goalie who has kept Russian teams in international competitions. Perhaps next year, Varlamov will start five regular season games against the Penguins and get to know their tricks. Perhaps he will get used to them enough to keep up when they elevate their play and the pressure rises.

The Caps defense is full of talented playmakers who play through careful positioning to cut down potential shooting angles. Last night, in game seven, Coach Bruce Boudreau benched superstar and Norris Trophy nominee Mike Green. Instead, in the game's final minutes, Boudreau played John Erskine. Erskine was sometimes a healthy scratch this season, because in regular season games his toughness and determination to clear the crease was considered a luxury. In the playoffs, Boudreau realized too late, it was the missing ingredient. Green is usually tough, but wasn't getting it done last night. Next time, perhaps all the Caps players will be comfortable backchecking aggressively in front of their own crease.

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Last night, Verizon Center gave the Caps a standing ovation after they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The crowd chanted MVP in honor of Ovechkin's great season, supporting him over Malkin or Detroit's Pavol Datsyuk for the NHL's Hart Trophy. A town that has gone on its biggest band-sleigh-ride since 1998 stood strong in support of a club that has laid it on the line all season. But at the back of all that optimism and good cheer, everyone is thinking about how we are going to beat those Penguins next time. When we do, it will be even sweeter.