Reasons to feel good about a game 7 this year.
1. History.
History has shown with teams built this way (Kings/Bruins/etc), that game 7 heavily favors the bigger team.
2. The system is built for this.
Teams that are heavy and rely on being physical over skill very, very rarely win in 4 or 5 games. It's always a long series. This is the team that was built here and this is where they're supposed to be. The Capitals couldn't even win 4 games in a row in the regular season. The Caps are a team that is built on consistency... not flashy steaks/etc. This is what they're built for, so this is where they should be most ready to play.
3. The team should play proud.
Honestly, after the mess GMGM and Oates left us with - who else would of thought we'd be HOME for a game 7 in the playoffs this year? Very few of us. They played well down the stretch, got 100+ points, and earned the home ice they have. The players should feel proud of earning this game 7 at home, and the fans should reward them for getting a game 7, and be a difference tomorrow night at a rockin' VC.
4. Home ice!
Each team so far this series has gotten it done in their home arena. Both are 2-1. This is where home ice should be the difference. This will be a Monday game - meaning all the randoms who just decide to go to Caps game but don't know five people on the team because they decided a Caps game would be a fun weekend date night will not be there. The only people that are spending good money to go to a Monday hockey game will be the die hard fans. VC will be rocking. Tomorrow should have the most ready/die hard fans of any VC game in a LONG TIME.
5. There are new players here who don't care about the past.
Burakvosky, Latta, Wilson, Kuznetsov, Niskanen, Orpik, Gleason, and Hotby are all not a part of the past terrible games 7's. Holtby has been here for just a couple - and he has proven to be able to out-goalie the defending Stanley Cup champions and one of the best goalies in the world (Thomas). If the Caps can take care of business tomorrow - there will be A LOT of new players that are proving to not give a ***** about the past and can step up/help the team win. This will go a long way for the new Caps era.
6. Ovechkin is the best.
Ovechkin very rarely comes out flat like he did yesterday, and when he does, it usually doesn't last long. He's one of the most consistent goal scorers of all time and he's going to want this game 7 probably more than anyone tomorrow. When Ovi is 100% and ready to play, no one can stop him. They can only hope to contain him. The fact that the best player on the ice tomorrow will be playing his hardest gives us a huge advantage.
7. Momentum for the next round.
If the Capitals win this game 7, there's going to be a completely different mentality in the locker room. History has shown us that this is exactly where the Capitals fail. If they can get out of this first round with a win tomorrow, then the momentum could carry over and the players play with a lot more confidence in round 2.
8. We are due for an explosion.
Caps for the first time in a long time are full of NHL-ready players. Almost every line has players that can play a good role on a NHL team. With how they played yesterday, I think they will come out more proud and some of the vets will play a better game. The Caps are still one of the top 10 scoring teams in the NHL - and tomorrow they will be at home and are DUE.
So get pumped! This is the team that is here and the team we have no choice but to cheer for. If we can pull it off tomorrow - it could just be the difference this team is looking for in getting over the hump!