With the Capitals losing to the Rangers in game six, they now have to enter the lion’s den in Madison Square Garden, in what should be an intense and nailbiting game seven. Although the Capitals were unable to qualify for the Stanley Cup last year, they were able to break their unlucky streak by advancing in this year’s Stanley Cup.

“I’m just really happy with their progress because they weren’t looking too hot at the beginning of the season and for the past few years,”” senior Lee Hayes said, “”But now they’re doing awesome and they just have to keep it up.””

The Capitals have been unlucky throughout their franchise history in the Stanley Cup, but things seemed to change for the better when the team beat the Islanders.

This year, the Caps came close to being knocked out again, the series against the Islanders went to seven games. Fans are glad to see the Capitals advance after being knocked out in the first round year after year.

The Capitals were able to hold off The Islanders in game seven, winning the series 4-3.  The Capitals team captain Alex Ovechkin has led the team in scoring, with 51 goals in the regular season and four goals in the playoffs so far. The Capitals then advanced in the second round of the Stanley Cup, up against a tough opponent, The New York Rangers. The Rangers are usually a dominant team in the regular season and in the Stanley Cup. At the start of the Stanley Cup, many NHL analysts predicted the Rangers would go far in  the Cup. In game one, the Caps took an early lead off of a power play goal from Ovechkin. The Rangers tied it up in the third period, and with the game looking like it would go into overtime, Joel Ward put in the game winner with one second remaining in the game. 

“”My favorite moments whenever I’m watching hockey is when they win in overtime or have a buzzer beater goal like Joel Ward did,”” Hayes said.

In game two, the Rangers took an early lead, with two goals in the first period, coming from Chris Kreider and Dan Boyle. The Capitals then scored in the second period. The Rangers were able to hold off the Capitals and saw victory in game two.  The Capitals then took the next two games, giving them a 3-1 series lead.

The Capitals fell to the Rangers in a heartbreaking game five in overtime, which dragged the series out to game six. Rangers defensemen Ryan McDonagh  clinched the game for the Rangers with 9:37 left in the overtime period. Rangers were able to take game six with two early goals in the first period. Caps got two late goals, but it was not enough, falling to the Rangers 4-3. With the game six loss, the series will go to game seven, putting the Caps in a win or go home situation. Game seven will be on May 13, which will be a nerve racking game for Caps fans all over the DMV.