These Washington Capitals have not been here before.
Sure, past iterations of the roster have been in a position to succeed in the postseason and come up short. But, as far as defenseman Karl Alzner is concerned, this group is venturing down a new path.
Karl Alzner: "I don't think this team has any playoff history. This is our first one together."
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) April 23, 2016
Still, after Friday's loss, the club has dropped nine of its last ten games when trying to clinch a playoff series, and Michal Neuvirth's ridiculous performance in Game 5 may have planted seeds of doubt in the Capitals' heads.
Head coach Barry Trotz, however, agrees with Alzner.
Trotz: "If we throw that game out next game or if we have to do it in Game 7, I’ll trust that game. I think our odds are pretty good.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) April 23, 2016
Washington did add Justin Williams - also known as "Mr. Game 7" - last summer, and he could come in handy should the series indeed go the distance.
Game 6 is Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.
Nicklas Backstrom: "I don't know anything about the past. We're looking forward here."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 23, 2016
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