The Dream Is Alive: Caps 2, Rangers 1

If you can believe it, it's louder than it was last year -- both in the arena and on the streets. This town is ready to rock. Even Commissioner Gary Bettman is in the house. Chris Clark is indeed back in the line-up.

It's time to play the game!

First Period
The Rangers have come out with a fervor that they haven't shown in while. Simeon Varlamov made two huge stops (on Sean Avery and Nik Antropov) in the first minute of play. The Caps had some missed opportunities but the Rangers cashed in first.

On a total breakdown by the Caps, Antropov got wide open after a nice feed from Brandon Dubinsky, who also was unguarded, and beat Varlamov at 5:35.

The Caps do not look like themselves but they were able to draw a penalty and get the game's first power play when Antropov was called for high sticking at 11:53. The PP wasn't overly inspiring and was cut 31 seconds short when Mike Green was called for interference. Luckily for the Caps, Varlamov made some nice saves the PK gang did the rest to keep the score as is.

Then the Caps got some luck on their side. On a three-on-two, Alex Semin took a feed from Nicklas Backstrom and fired it past Henrik Lundqvist -- after it deflected off Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. The game went to a TV timeout after that and, during the break, Michal Rozsival limped to the dressing room.

There also were some glass repairs behind Lundqvist before the game could resume.

Caps only had two shots in the period yet scored once. Go figure.

After one: Caps 1, Rangers 1

Second Period
The Caps came out stronger to start the stanza but the Rangers seemed to be there for the counter every time. Sergei Fedorov looks really, well, old and doesn't quite have that grace for which he's known. He really hasn't shown it all season, but in a game seven skating with Alex Ovechkin and Viktor Kozlov, it's magnified.

The Rangers have been especially dangerous when they get the puck down low in the Caps' zone. The Caps would be wise to avoid that from happening. But they haven't been able do that yet and the Rangers clearly have been the better team so far.

When they do they get chances in the offensive zone, the Caps haven't been able to take advantage of plenty of juicy rebounds given up by Lundqvist. The game has the feel of something that might go to OT although with the Rangers controlling the pace, I'm not so sure. The Caps need to take advantage of the pressure and not just couterattack.

Varlamov has kept the Caps in this game as the Rangers continue to assert themselves. Meanwhile, Ovie hasn't been overly present and the best line for the Caps has been the two grinder lines. Their top-six have been silent.

The Caps haven't done anything to stop what they know is coming -- Rangers' zone time. Yes, they've had some decent chances and shots, but nothing sustained and nothing to make Lundqvist uncomfortable. That's gotta change in the last 20 minutes. (Some booing ensued after the buzzer but it was brief.)

After two: Caps 1, Rangers 1.

Third Period
The Caps team that came out to start the third period was the team that many expected to be on the ice all game. They couldn't convert on an early power play (only their second of the game) but have been taking control so far.

The Caps continued their sizzling pace and didn't allow a Rangers shot until halfway through the period. The Caps have gotten some great opportunities but Lundqvist has been up to the challenge every time. Brooks Laich has been doing well on the second line in the final period and Ovie has elevated his game. The Caps need to keep pressuring and not allow the Rangers to get any opportunities if they want to win this game.

More of the same -- lots of pressure, no scoring. The refs continue to let the boys play, which isn't surprising with the commish in the house. It's time to unleash the fury with 5:56 left in the third period.

Fedorov just SCORED!!!! He skated as hard as he had all season and unleashed the most wicked wrister I've seen in years from Feds. He could have just saved the season -- but there's still time to go. This place is louder than a jet engine. Nobody is sitting down.

Moments later, Lundqvist stoned Ovechkin in a play that the Rangers had to have if they want any shot. The question is how long the King will remain in net.

The Rangers are doing everything in their power to crack Varlamov, but it's not happening.

Lundqvist couldn't get to the bench because of Caps' pressure and continued to make saves as the place is getting even louder. The Rangers took a timeout with 32.9 seconds left, but Lunqvist stayed on the bench.

Final: Caps 2, Rangers 1.