Rangers Need To Capitalize On Early Chances

Would it be so horrible if the Rangers got an early lead? I can see it now, the Verizon Center crowd sitting silently stunned from the quick first period start by the visiting team. Why do I feel like I am writing a fictional fairy tale? Well it may just come true, but only if 2 things happen. First - Tortorella follows through with his original game plan when he came to The Big Apple of pressure-pressure-pressure on the forecheck. The team has significantly fallen away from that mentality. If they can get back to that in Game 7, then it could stun the Capitals who haven't seen that type of play from the Rangers in the series. Second - The Rangers have to finish on all or most of their opportunities, and not only in the second half of the game. They need to bury that first chance that comes in the initial 5 minutes (ok Nik?). They need to put the Capitals lousy defense on their heals and score their chances using authority. That means none of Scott Gomez or Wade Redden wussified flippy shots at the net that are meant for deflections instead of goals.

So tonight Game 7 commences and the NHL's first round across the league will come to an end. From all indications, it sounds like Anisimov will be in the lineup. Don't expect much from him, it is only his 2nd NHL game ever. But we should still hold him at a high standard. He had 37 goals in the minors this season, so if he is the one who gets the point blank chance in the first 5 minutes, then he NEEDS to bury it. That is how you win game 7s, you score when you have the chance, and every single Ranger who touches the ice is responsible for that.

Game 7 - Rangers vs Capitals @ 7pm Tonight. Here we go.

On a side note, can you believe the San Jose Sharks? What a mess.