Game 7 should be more competitive than most expect

This Rangers-Capitals series has been a whirlwind, to say the least. It's been tough to tell throughout who's had home-ice advantage, whether the Rangers actually believe they have any offensive power, whether Matt Bradley was actually proud of himself after that second goal in Game 5, and why Donald Brashear was ever given an NHL contract. Nevertheless, after a few close games and blowouts, we find ourselves here in a Game 7.

Before we begin, let's note a little statistic. No team in NHL history has won the Stanley Cup after playing a 7-game series in the first round. There's absolutely no reason to think this statistic will change this season. The Rangers do not have the threats to compete for the Holy Grail, nor do the Caps. The Caps were once thought to be a serious contender, but after having so much trouble with one of the NHL's far weaker teams this season, they've shown their fans that they probably don't have what it takes to go all the way, at least not in the 08-09 campaign.

So, let's get to the game.

To start, a few things coming from the Capitals side of things have just plain managed to piss me off.

1) You might've noticed that Rangers Coach John Tortorella wasn't on the bench for Game 6. He was suspended for losing his cool when a lovely Capitals fan dumped beer on him:



I'm not saying Tortorella should've done this -- especially after disciplining Sean Avery. Tortorella was obviously angry that his team power play would better be carried out by a bunch of worthless peewees. While there's obviously no excuse for his actions, it's a classless, disgusting act by the fan. What's even more interesting that Tortorella had to be restrained by Rangers Assistant (and former Capitals) Coach Jim Schoenfeld, notorious for acting out during games:



2) Donald Brashear. This guy took out Blair Betts out of nowhere in Game 6. It was completely uncalled for, just as is the rest of his career. As the video shows, Betts had dumped the puck in long before the hit. And he's not exactly the Rangers enforcer:



3) Brandon Dubinsky reportedly had to receive a Tetanus shot after Game 6 because Shaone Morrison BIT him during a fight. I don't have a video for Tyson-Holyfield II, and that's probably a good thing.

4) Nothing makes me sicker than Tom "Where's your skirt" Poti scoring goals.

5)[This one isn't about the Capitals]. Chris Drury just plain pisses me off. He's the worst captain this team has had in a long time. He plays like crap most days in a Blue uniform and then gets repeatedly praised for being "Mr. Clutch." Well, I got a challenge for you, Chris (and I know you already did this in Game 4, even though it was one of the weakest, luckiest goals I've ever seen in my life): score a goal in Game 7. Lead this team to victory for real. In fact, score 2 goals. We'll take a picture and call it a freaking Kodak moment.

PREDICTION TIME

There's little reason to think the Capitals won't win this game. Then again, most people thought the Caps would hand the Rangers a world-class beating throughout the series. That hasn't really happened. Before the series started, I picked the Rangers in 6. Obviously, that won't happen now (and neither will a Sharks sweep, clearly -- they are the losers of this playoff already).

Let's remember that the Rangers won the games they did for one reason and one reason only: their goalie. If Henrik Lundqvist still has one big game in him -- and I truly believe he does -- the Blueshirts will pull through. Thus, the Rangers will win Game 7 and take the series -- winning 2-0 on a goal by none other than Chris Drury.