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Hunter’s Game 7 advice to Caps: “Have fun with it”

Dale Hunter

24 Jan 1995: Center Dale Hunter of the Washington Capitals looks on during a game against the Quebec Nordiques at the Quebec Coliseum in Quebec City, Quebec. The Nordiques won the game, 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport

Robert Laberge

History is not on Washington’s side as it heads into Wednesday’s Game 7 against Boston.

Since 2008, the Caps have played in four Game 7s and lost all but one, with a core group of players -- Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, Alex Semin and Brooks Laich -- on hand for all the disappointment.

So, good thing Dale Hunter’s around.

The Capitals head coach knows what it’s like to step up in a do-or-die situation. He’s responsible for one of the biggest Game 7 goals in Capitals history -- an overtime marker against the Flyers in the Patrick Division semifinal, completing Washington’s rally from a 3-1 series deficit.

Given his experience, what kind of wisdom did Hunter pass along to his players?

Chuck Gormely of CSN Washington asked and found out:

“It’s a one-game series,” Hunter said. “Enjoy it and have fun with it. It’s going to be a great game to watch.”

Hunter is not one for well-rehearsed pre-game speeches and he said he’s not planning on giving one Wednesday night.

“They’ll be pumped,” he said. “You don’t have to say much. It’s what you dream as a kid when you grow up, playing a Game 7.”

If you’re wondering, Washington’s last Game 7 victory occurred during the 2009 playoffs in a first-round series against the Rangers.

Tied 1-1 with 4:59 remaining, veteran forward Sergei Fedorov scored his first of the playoffs to push the Caps onto Round 2, where they’d lose to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.