The Washington Capitals found themselves effectively eliminated early in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals, giving up the first five goals of the game to the Pittsburgh Penguins en route to a 6-2 loss. The finale proved a profoundly disappointing and lopsided end to the series, won by Pittsburgh four games to three.
Pittsburgh's first four goals chased Washington rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov from the pipes in the second period. By the time Jose Theodore gave up Pittsburgh's fifth goal, the final outcome was no longer in doubt. The Capitals completed postseason play with seven wins and seven losses.
Regardless of the poor result that the Capitals went out on, the goodwill built up by team owner Ted Leonsis, defending MVP Alex Ovechkin and the remainder of the Caps players has solidified the team's place as the area's second most popular pro sports franchise. Hope for the future remains intact.
______________________Labels: pro hockey, simeon varlamov, sports, washington capitals
