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Welcome to Caps 'Round the Clock, a blog covering the Washington Capitals and the NHL. In season, I update the Blog after every practice and on game day with Caps news and information, and then provide a recap and analysis after each contest. I also write a periodical Prospect Watch and weekly feature pieces on the state of the Men in Red and other things Capitals. And of course, I will post videos and tidbits from around the League and offer my two cents as the season wears on. In the offseason, I write a Report Card for each player, and will keep you updated on all the news about the Caps through the summer. I'm glad you're here, and hope you come back!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Gameday: at NY Rangers, May 7 - Round Two, Game Five

Can Mike Green's game-winner get him going?
The Washington Capitals are in New York, New York, this evening as they play game five of their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the hometown Rangers inside Madison Square Garden.  Following a win in game four on Saturday by the Capitals, this series is tied at two games apiece, with each team going 1-1 at home and alternating victories in the first four games.  Particularly remarkable is that Washington was able to win game four after a devastating triple overtime loss in game three on Wednesday.  Tonight is a big game for both teams in what has been another tight series, as the Rangers look to keep home ice and the Caps look to give themselves another opportunity to close a series out on home ice.

Stalwart goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will make the start in nets for New York once more.  Lundqvist, who has been one of the best goalies in this postseason just as he was in the regular season, has a 1.68 GAA, .944 save percentage, and one shutout in eleven games so far.  Outside the crease, New York will be without center Brandon Dubinsky almost certainly; the center has a foot injury and has not played at all in this series.  Winger Mats Zuccarello Aasen is also absent with a wrist injury.  Even after a loss, expect John Tortorella to keep the same lineup that he has for the last three games.

Braden Holtby, the rookie sensation with the visualization routines and the Hershey accented pads, will continue to get the start in goal from Dale Hunter. Holtby has carried a 1.94 GAA and .933 save percentage in his eleven playoff starts.  The Capitals do not currently have any disclosed injuries, and with a win in game four, expect the same lineup from the Washington coaching staff.  That means Mattias Sjogren, Mathieu Perreault, and Jeff Halpern will be scratched up front and John Erskine and Dmitry Orlov will remain in the press box among defensemen.

Puck drops for this one 7:41-ish.  No recap from me tonight because of school obligations.
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