The NHL Playoffs continue tonight when the Washington Capitals take on the New York Rangers in their Game 7 matchup. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Rangers listed as a big favorite to get the job done and advance.
The Eastern Conference finals are calling for both teams. Game 7 in the NHL Playoffs might be the best sporting event in the professional world and tonight hockey fans get another chapter. The Tampa Bay Lightning are awaiting the winner of tonight's game after picking up a victory over the Montreal Canadiens last night.
Alex Ovechkin did everything but guarantee his team would be playing in the conference finals, but the Rangers have found a way to get the job done in each of the last two games. The win at Washington in Game 6 was obviously important, for sake of survival, but scoring two third period goals was even more impressive. Ovechkin and the Capitals now have their backs against the wall, just like the Rangers did in each of the last two games, and they are on the road.
History has been on the Rangers' side in these types of games as well. New York won a Game 7 over the Pittsburgh Penguins last year in the playoffs and have picked up victories in each of their last five Game 7 appearances.
Even more helpful has been the impressive play of Henrik Lundqvist in those Game 7s. The goalie has won all five of those games for New York with a 0.80 goals against average while saving .973 percent of the shots he has faced.
While both teams will be playing on edge, the advantage has to side with the Rangers. They've been in this situation plenty of times before and have the goal tender that enjoys playing in these games. Washington has been in these types of situations as well, though. Dating back to 2008 this marks the ninth time in 11 playoff series the Capitals are playing in a seventh game. Washington won three of those eight games.
This should be one of the best games of the playoffs to date. New York finds a way to get it done at home.
Free Pick: Rangers
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