C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS
With a single top shelf shot by Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals fans around the country let out a collective sigh of relief. The game was not over, but the Capitals had finally gotten the puck past their old backup goalie, Michal Neuvirth, who had played absolutely stellar throughout the 3 games he goaltended. The second period goal gave the Caps some breathing room, but didn’t prevent the inevitable onslaught of Fliers attackers searching for the goal that would keep their playoff hopes alive. With their goalie removed to allow another attacker on the ice, the Fliers had an immense amount of offense, with the sacrifice of having an open net. The Caps tried to CAPitalize (HEHE) on this fact by launching pucks down the ice from their own zone, with the empty net in their sights. Each long shot managed to miss the gaping net by a few feet, and would skitter behind for an icing call, bringing the puck back in front of their own net. Braden Holtby, however, saved multiple shots in the waning minutes of the game, and when the final horn sounded, the Caps skated off victorious. The series was won 4-2.

Next up for the Capitals is the hated rival Pittsburgh Penguins. This will be the ninth time in team history that these two clubs have met in the postseason. Unfortunately, history does not favor the Caps who have only managed victory in one of the previous eight meetings. This is also the second time the league superstars Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby will meet in a postseason series. While the Caps certainly have their work cut out for them, this still the same team who earned the best regular season record in the NHL and, with early play-off jitters taken care of, there’s little doubt that we’ll be Rockin’ the Red into divisional round and beyond. Go Caps!!!!