Replacing the King?

As many expected, the New York Rangers, altough leading the Capitals 3-1, were unable to put away the Washington Capitals, and now find themselves facing a Game 7 in Washington. While momentum is clearly with the Caps heading in to the deciding game, this is by no means over. However, I see two major problems that the Blueshirts will have to solve if they are going to have any chance of advancing to the next round.

The first is Henrik Lundqvist. Though he was the biggest reason the Rangers were up 3-1 in the series to begin with, he is now a major factor why the series is tied. Most experts agree, the King will have to find his groove or the Rangers' season will be over faster than Sean Avery can dish out an offensive slur.

The second problem also involves Lundqvist. For two straight games he has been replaced by Stephen Valiquette, who has been nothing but solid between the same pipes. Should Ludqvist be given a third chance in this, what could be, final game? I don't think so. Since the Rangers can't score, the only way they will win this is if they score just one goal (I'm sure they can muster that in a desperate situation like a Game 7) and Lundqvist stands on his head, and I honestly can't see that happen. So, if Lundqvist is given the start, gives up three or four goals before being replaced again there is no way back for the Blueshirts. Can they afford to take that chance or will they give Valiquette the chance to win the series for them and perhaps take them even further in the playoffs? I don't think John Tortorella has the guts to do that.

This leads me to another thing...

Bruce Budreau moved his number one goaltender after just one loss against the Rangers. Ok, Jose Theodore isn't, by any messure, the goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is even on a good day (he used to be), but still. Since then, Simeon Varlamov has been terrific while shutting out the Rangers on two occasions.

TSN's Dave Hodge gave the Capitals a thumbs down for the way they used, or didn't use Theodore. I would like to give Mr Hodge a thumbs down. What Budreau did was have the guts to do something drastic before it was too late, and it paid off, at least so far. I'm sure Jose Theodore knows how it works.

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