NHL Playoffs 2012: 5 Reasons the Rangers Will Defeat the Capitals in Game 7

The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals have played six very close hockey games so far in their playoff series with each team winning three times.

After the Rangers won the opener by a 3-1 score, every other game in the series has been decided by just one goal.

As we head towards Game 7, here is a look at five reasons why the New York Rangers will defeat Washington and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils.

Game 7 Is at Madison Square Garden

The Rangers will have home-ice advantage for the seventh and deciding game of the series. They won Game 7 against Ottawa in Madison Square Garden and have taken two of three from the Capitals at home in this series.

The boisterous crowd makes The Garden a difficult place for opponents to play in, especially playoff games. The fans start by drowning out the national anthem and usually it just builds from there.

During the regular season, the Rangers finished second in the Eastern Conference with a 27-12-2 record at MSG. Washington's road record was 16-21-4, five games below .500.

Playing at The Garden gives the Rangers an edge.

Henrik Lundqvist

While Caps goalie Braden Holtby has practically matched him through the first six games of the series, Henrik Lundqvist has more experience than his rookie counterpart and that will help him withstand the pressure of Game 7.

Lundqvist has been consistently excellent all season and throughout the playoffs. His outstanding regular season made him a finalist for both the Vezina Trophy and the Hart Trophy. His postseason GAA is below 1.80 and his save percentage is better than .930.

Lundqvist is in his prime at 30 and the fact that he's been in so many pressure situations will serve him well against the Capitals.

John Tortorella Has More Coaching Experience

Both John Tortorella and Dale Hunter are getting the most out of their players right now, but the Rangers head man already has a Stanley Cup on his resume while this is Hunter's first postseason behind an NHL bench.

Tortorella will also have the last change which will allow him to match lines in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

The Caps Have a History of 7th Game Failure

The Washington Capitals have a poor franchise history in deciding playoff games. The Caps have gone to a deciding game 11 times in the postseason including this year's opening round series against the Bruins. Their all-time record: a disappointing three wins and eight losses.

Since the lockout, the Capitals have been perennial favorites to win the Stanley Cup and have acquired a reputation as playoff underachievers.

The Rangers Finished with a Much Better Record Than the Caps

A quick look at the final standings this season shows that the Rangers finished 17 points ahead of the Capitals in the standings, a very large gap.

While the two teams have played a very close, very tight playoff series so far, the creme tends to rise to the top over time and the Rangers have proven themselves to be the better team over the long haul of an 82-game season.

Sure upsets are possible, but the reason they are unexpected is because it means a lesser team has to defeat a team with a better record.

Again, the Rangers should be the favorites to win Game 7.