Can The Rangers Win Game 7?

May 12, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) and teammates celebrate after the third period in game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Rangers won the game 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

After a series where everyone thought it would be a long grueling fight, it has turned out too be just that. The Rangers and Capitals will meet in Washington tomorrow night for the second game 7 in the last two seasons. Ironically, exactly one year ago from today the Rangers beat the Capitals in game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. But now, 366 days later the two clubs will leave it all on the line for the second straight year. It will be a heart-throbbing nightmare for both fan bases. This is the Rangers 4th game 7 since John Tortorella has been the head coach. As the Rangers forced a game 7 with today’s win everyone must be thinking “can they get it done?” Well I think they can, it is going to be very very difficult but it certainly is possible. Instead of last year’s two game 7’s being two days apart these two teams will face off in the next 24 hours. There is really no time to think or make any major adjustments on either side. So it comes down to 60 minutes to see who will advance to the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers will have to win tomorrow in a place where they have lost their last 10 of 11 playoff games. The only win came in 3 overtimes so you would imagine tomorrow is going to give you a heart-attack if your a Ranger fan. The Rangers must do certain things if they want to advance to the next round that they have not done in Washington so far. They must give the effort they gave tonight. It was the best effort the Rangers gave all series and of course it came when they’re backs were against the wall. The good thing is that they’re backs will be against the wall tomorrow night as well. Another thing that will benefit the Blueshirts is that “the King” is incredibly hot. He will be right back at it tomorrow night and the Rangers must, MUST give him at least a few goals to work with and he could definitely steal a game in Washington if the Rangers score. Speaking of scoring the Rangers got a lot of chances but they must score more than one goal in Washington tomorrow. If they only get one goal it will be incredibly hard for them to hold off a surge that Washington is going to bring tomorrow night. How about special teams? It would be very nice if the Rangers could score on a power play. Just one goal on the power play. But they did do a very good job of staying out of the box today. They must be equally as disciplined as they were today in Washington tomorrow night. And finally the biggest thing the Rangers need is something I’ve been saying the team was missing all season. They need too have a “killer instinct”. They did not have last year in the playoffs and it ultimately cost them a series with the Devils because they were so fatigued. Yes the Rangers won two series in seven games but they could not close out a series in any games before that. Now they’re in another game 7 but once again they have not had a killer instinct all year. They need to finish the Capitals off. They need to go into Washington tomorrow and have the urgency in their game that was there today. They need to do everything they can to score and play for their goalie who has been brilliant since he came to the team in 2006. They cannot sit back, they must play they’re best hockey and have the confidence too close it out. The Rangers must have the killer instinct they have been lacking all season and in last year’s playoffs. It is not going to be easy, but with the experience the team has gathered over the last two years, it can certainly be done.