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OTTAWA 4 NEW YORK 2 (Senators win 4-2)
Erik Karlsson scored what proved to be the winner late in the 2nd period as the Ottawa Senators played a textbook road game, besting the New York Rangers 4-2 and winning the series by that same count. Craig Anderson was exceptional again, and Henrik Lundqvist didn't come up with the big saves he needed to, though to pin this all on him would be deceptive. The Rangers defence let him down time and time again in this series, and the Sens capitalized on their chances often. The Rangers inability to close out games was ultimately what killed them, though. That comeback in Game 2 will no doubt haunt them for a while. In the end, it's another failure for Alain Vigneault, and the Rangers window with an aging Lundqvist is starting to close, fast.
Can the Washington Capitals shake the monkey that is the Pittsburgh Penguins off their back and win this Game 7, to keep moving forward in a season that many saw as their best chance to win their first Stanley Cup? Or will this team, that has come up with ways to blow it that would make Canucks fans feel genuinely sorry for them do it once again? They've battled back to win 2 straight elimination games, and with an obviously not 100% Sidney Crosby and a now shaken Marc-Andre Fleury, this may also be their best opportunity to put that reputation to bed. It's the same deal as the last two games. They need their best players to be at their best, Braden Holtby has to be the best goalie on the ice, and the Caps need to not get into penalty trouble, or the Penguins will eat them alive.
Speaking of teams that blow it, this is a chance for Anaheim to exorcise some demons of their own. They have lost 5 consecutive Game 7's, and they will need to come up with a way to stop Leon Draisaitl and hope Connor McDavid scores if they want to win. What? Yeah, that's right. McDavid has scored in 3 games in the series. The Oilers lost all 3 contests. Whatever works, right? After being pulled in that Game 6 blowout, John Gibson is back between the pipes for the Ducks. After being pulled against Calgary in Game 3 of the first round, Gibson responded with a 1 goal performance in Game 4. It's been 11 years since the Ducks won a game 7, so they are definitely due.
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Today we're off to Australia for today's English lesson: Thrash Is A Verb with your instructors DESECRATOR.