Canes, Caps Advance In Spectacular Fashion

Fedorov Caps Game 7

Thanks to sage, old Sergei Fedorov and a monumental comeback, the Washington Capitals are headed to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.

Fedorov beat Henrik Lundqvist with 4:59 left in the third period, rookie Simeon Varlamov was good in the net when he had to be, and the Capitals edged the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final Tuesday night.

Of note for the Rangers, Sean Avery came to the rink and played a very good game – his purse must have matched his blouse last night! 

However, Avery hobbled off the ice in the dying seconds of the game with a “lower body injury” and following an emotional Game 7 loss there were several reports from fans that they could see Avery’s mascara running as he exited the ice. 

Post-game quotes from the Capitals locker room:

Let’s face it: Realistically, we should have won the first six games,” Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said.

“We have to try to keep our emotions,” Ovechkin said, “and get ready for the next round.”

Brodeur, Devils Collapse With Finish Line in Sight

The Carolina Hurricanes stole their thrilling first-round series from the New Jersey Devils in the final 80 seconds.

Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal scored in a 48-second span late in the third period as the Hurricanes stunned the Devils 4-3 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference series.

In a series that had been highlighted by great goaltending for both teams, neither Cam Ward or Martin Brodeur were spectacular.  Brodeur played well until the final 1:20 when the wheels fell off the bus!

The Hurricanes now move on to play the well rested Boston Bruins team that finished off the Montreal Canadiens in just 4 games.  The Hurricanes endured a physical series with teh Devils, but the Bruins led by Milan Lucic and Zdeno Chara could bring a whole new level of physicality to the series.