Washington Capitals

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against the Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer, from Germany, lunges to knock the puck away during the second period of Game 2 against the New York Islanders in a first-round NHL hockey playoff series, Friday, April 17, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Goalie Philipp Grubauer looks to take next step with Caps

By HARVEY VALENTINE - Associated Press

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) and New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) look down ice after a pass during the first period of Game 1 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Nicklas Backstrom has surgery on hip, should be ready for next season

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan is introduced to the media at a press conference at the Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 27, 2014. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

For Capitals’ Brian MacLellan, end to first season as GM poses problems for second

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman reacts in the second half of Game 6 of the second round of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, May 15, 2015, in Washington. The Hawks won 94-91 to advance to the next round. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

LOVERRO: By now, second-round playoff exits unacceptable for Washington fans

By Thom Loverro - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green speaks to reporters at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., Friday, May 15, 2015. The Capitals hockey team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and spent the day cleaning out their lockers in preparation for the off season. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

His Capitals departure likely, Mike Green finds upcoming contract talk ‘a little scary’

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) reacts after the New York Rangers scored a goal in the second period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Playoff exit has Capitals’ Braden Holtby feeling empty after record-setting season

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

FILE - In this May 13, 2015, file photo, the New York Rangers celebrate the game winning goal by center Derek Stepan (21) against the Washington Capitals as Capitals goalie Braden Holtby looks at the puck in the net in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in New York. The Rangers won 2-1. The NHL's final four teams are 19-5 at home in the playoffs. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

LOVERRO: No matter the perspective, Capitals’ playoff loss is still a collapse

By Thom Loverro - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes a break during a stop in play against the New York Rangers during the second period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Alex Ovechkin to join Russia for final two games of world championships

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) celebrates with center J.T. Miller (10) and defenseman Keith Yandle (93) after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Capitals lose to Rangers 2-1 in OT in Game 7

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Alex Ovechkin's declaration that the Capitals would win Game 7 comes after the forward has been held scoreless in the past four games. (Associated Press)

THOM LOVERRO: Alex Oveckin’s prediction of Game 7 win a declaration of desperation

By Thom Loverro - The Washington Times

Goalie Braden Holtby, who picked up his second career postseason shutout in Game 4, seeks to lead the Capitals to their first Eastern Conference final since 1998. (Associated Press)

Capitals optimistic they can exorcise demons against Rangers

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18), defenseman Dan Boyle (22) and left wing Tanner Glass (15) celebrate the game winning goal by Boyle, during the third period of Game 6 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Washington. The Rangers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Capitals again come up empty in chance to eliminate Rangers, face decisive Game 7

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), from Sweden, stops the puck against Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, during the third period of Game 6 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Washington. The Rangers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Barry Trotz: ‘I love that’ Alex Ovechkin insisted Capitals will win Game 7

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) scores his second goal of the period during the first period past Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70), center, and John Carlson (74) in Game 6 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Kreider scores 2, Rangers hold off Caps 4-3 to force Game 7

By HOWARD FENDRICH - Associated Press

New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) scores his second goal of the period during the first period past Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70), center, and John Carlson (74) in Game 6 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

LOVERRO: Urgency avoids Capitals, who again face elimination after big series lead

By Thom Loverro - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward, middle, collides with New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) as he knocks the puck into the goal near New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) during the second period of Game 5 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Friday, May 8, 2015, in New York. The goal was waved off by the officials because of contact made with the goalie. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Officials deny opening goal, cite contact with goaltender in Capitals’ loss

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals left wing Curtis Glencross (22) skates past the New York Rangers as they celebrate their 2-1 overtime victory over the Capitals during Game 5 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Friday, May 8, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Ryan McDonagh scores as Rangers avoid elimination, beat Capitals in Game 5

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) celebrates after Game 4 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs against the New York Rangers, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Capitals aiming to close out Rangers on Friday, advance to conference final

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65), from Austria, celebrates his game winning goal during the third period of Game 4 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs against the New York Rangers, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Rookie Andre Burakovsky dazzles in Capitals’ victory over Rangers

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

A penalty shot by New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62), from Sweden, is caught by Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the third period of Game 4 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Goal-starved Rangers facing elimination in second round

By TOM CANAVAN - Associated Press