The Aftermath: Game Seven + Series Wrap-up

Written by CK | 28 April 2009

(photo credit Pete Silver)

The Czar reigns supreme, Semin gets some luck, and Fedorov proves that no matter the age a living legend is a living legend. Caps win 2-1 and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1998.

This actually started out as a poor game for the Caps. In the first period, they gave up a goal to Nik Antropov as three Caps defenders were drawn low, leaving the defender wide open to swoop in and pick up a drop pass. For most of the first period, the Caps were stuck battling in corners or stymied in the neutral zone.

It wasn't until a 3-on-1 breakaway developed that the Caps got some luck in the form of one of the luckiest bounces of the whole season. Yes, even luckier than Michael Nylander's game-winning off-the-skate goal in Montreal. After that, the score stayed 1-1, and it was a defensive battle to the very end.

Henrik Lundqvist and Simeon Varlamov dueled and braved deflection chances and other odd bounces that were thrown at them, but it would be Lundqvist's glove hand that would be the difference maker. In the past Capitals games, the Caps abused Lundqvist's glove side, and tonight was no different. Streaking down the ice with Alex Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov paused and then rocketed a wrist shot past Lundqvist's glove side.

Verizon Center exploded, and the Rangers were five minutes away from making reservations at swanky golf clubs on the Hamptons. Fans may have paid for seats, but for those final minutes they didn't use them. While the fans screamed at the top of their lungs, the Caps hunkered down on defense and never gave Lundqvist a chance to run to the bench for the extra man.

The series was over. Down 3-1, the Capitals beat the odds and became the 4.5 percent.

Capitals Kremlin Three Stars of the Series

#3: Alex Ovechkin (3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points +5)
What can you really say about Ovechkin other than he was brilliant when he needed to be and was a factor even when he wasn't on the scoresheet. Now factor in that he took 49 shots over seven games, and you have a player who, despite all efforts to contain him, is a threat no matter what.

#2: Alex Semin (5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points, +5)
The Caps' premier dangler continues to be the Capitals' best playoff performer. With 16 points in 14 playoff games, Semin's quietly the most dangerous Cap on the team, and defenses would be wise to focus on the Gr28 as much as Ovechkin.

#1: Simeon Varlamov (4-2, 1.17 GAA, .952)
Call him Mr. Cool. Starting Varlamov in Game Two drew many comparisons to an NFL coach starting a rookie QB in a situation he may not be ready to handle. Varlamov not only proved the critics wrong, but he also gave the Capitals the security they needed in net, and his lead-by-example play gave them the drive to get the job done.

Capitals Kremlin Hard Hat Performer of the Series

Nicklas Backstrom (0 goals, 7 assists, +4)
There's so many candidates for this it's not even funny, but Backstrom really takes the cake here. Just like Semin, Backstrom was one of the catalysts that cracked the series open, and he brought his A game defensively and offensively. We must do honorable mentions here: Tom Poti, Matt Bradley, Milan Jurcina and Brian Pothier are all deserving for their own heroics as well.

Your Tweets - Join CapsFans, a Capitals Twitter community and you might see your tweets become part of a CK postgame thread!

birnenjoe@CapsFans it's over! i'm so happy. the russians shot the rangers away.
Caps_Girl@CapsFans has Tom Green shown up? Unleash the fury!!!
randallboe@capsfans finally playing caps hockey, rangers look tired but still dangerous 8 mins left
likuidkewl@Capsfans This game isn't making the Heineken go down very smooth.
danawalker@capsfans Dear Washington Capitals, As much as I want to call out of work tmrw, please stop playing sloppily. xxox. dana. ps- Score goals!
Mulator Avery...wanting to fight Backstrom? Yeah...Go after Semin and get that WINDMILL turned on ya baby....get some!
dan2bit@CapsFans does eating fistfuls of Trader Joe's Chocolate Raspberry Sticks count as Rockin' the Red? These things are addictive!

All right, here's the road ahead.

We'll have more coverage of the Caps and Pens tomorrow, but for now savor the victory. Come Saturday, it starts all over again.