from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

There are two ways of looking at how the Eastern Conference final came to be tied heading into Game 5: either the Tampa Bay Lightning stole back two games on the road or the Washington Capitals gave away an opportunity to close out a series.

For most onlookers, it’s the latter.

And so, here we are talking about choking again. Will this be another post-season where the Capitals failed to finish off an opponent on the ropes, failed to come up with the key play at the key time, and failed to advance despite being the better team? Will it be another missed opportunity for Alex Ovechkin?

From here, it’s starting to look that way. Whatever momentum the Capitals gained from winning Games 1 and 2 on the road has now swung back to the Lightning after winning Games 3 and 4. Now, it’s Washington with its backs against the ropes and once again having to face the ghosts of the franchise’s past.

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