Washington Capitals

5_122015_rangers-capitals-hockey-3-48201.jpg

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)

5_122015_rangers-capitals-hockey-6-38201.jpg

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)

0e258363f0f71f14760f6a70670067e8.jpg

New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) battles for the puck against Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, during the first period of Game 6 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

bbc057af15132015760f6a7067008fa1.jpg

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)

Babcock Watch Hockey.JPEG-09a34.jpg

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock talks with an official in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Washington. From San Jose to Philadelphia, Mike Babcock has no shortage of NHL coaching options after the Detroit Red Wings granted him permission to speak to other teams.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

984b27aec32ef214750f6a706700b8fa.jpg

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)

Capitals Rangers Hockey.JPEG-0b24e.jpg

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) reacts to a hit from New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) 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. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

5_7_2015_aptopix-rangers-capitals--38201.jpg

Teammates surround Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky, from Austria, after his game-winning goal as New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) skates nearby, 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)

89b561e470d1c214750f6a7067005868.jpg

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)

e2d7f23570d3c214750f6a706700e149.jpg

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)

Rangers Capitals Hockey.JPEG-0f5f9.jpg

The Washington Capitals celebrate around center Jay Beagle (83) after his goal during the second period of Game 3 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs against the New York Rangers, Monday, May 4, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Capitals Rangers Hockey.JPEG-047b9.jpg

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) blocks a shot by the New York Rangers during the second period of Game 2 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

dbb23396a62e5a13750f6a706700278e.jpg

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) adjusts his helmet during a break in play against the New York Rangers during the first period of Game 2 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

3711f1cfa62f5a13750f6a706700ef3b.jpg

New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates in front of Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 2 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Capitals Rangers Hockey.JPEG-0abbc.jpg

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) celebrates with defenseman Dan Boyle (22) after Boyle score a goal on a power play against the Washington Capitals during the first period of Game 2 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Capitals Rangers Hockey.JPEG-082c4.jpg

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) congratulates goalie Braden Holtby (70) after the Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 1 of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Thursday, April 30, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

4c009fff799f3213750f6a706700ee12.jpg

RETRANSMISSION TO CORRECT GOAL BY JOEL WARD - The Washington Capitals celebrate a goal by right wing Joel Ward as New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) looks on during the third period of Game 1 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Thursday, April 30, 2015, in New York. The Capitals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

0e421d86790f3013750f6a706700571f.jpg

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)

JoelWard.jpg

New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) defends as Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) attempts to deflect the shot against goalie Jaroslav Halak (41), from the Czech Republic, during the first period of Game 7 in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Monday, April 27, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Capitals_Islanders_Hockey_6.jpg

Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) looks to pass the puck in the first period of Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, April 25, 2015, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)