Here's what the Caps need to do in order to win:
1. We have a distinct height and weight advantage on VGK based on roster averages. They need to take advantage of this by playing very physically, most importantly in the offensive zone. Wear down their defensemen and prevent the type of fast breakouts VGK likes to generate.
2. Stay aggressive on the puck and don't give Schmidt, especially, a lot of skating room. VGK likes to play a very aggressive forechecking game and play in the other team's end. That's a winning formula and what it means is that we need to forecheck as much or more than they do. Make them play in their own end, not ours. We can do this by bringing our size advantage to bear. Winnipeg failed at this but we can succeed.
3. Make our shots count and take lots of them. Fleury has only allowed 18 goals in 15 games. We also need as many high quailty chances as possible. Perimeter shots are unlikely to go in. Needless to say, we need to be efficient on the PP.
4. As part of the above, we also need to be clogging the neutral zone. VGK likes a fast skating game and the way to disrupt that is to not let it get started. Break up their skating lanes and do not let their defensemen carry the puck unmolested.
5. In our own end play aggressively as well. Go to the puck carrier. No huddling in a box out in front of Holtby. Force VGK to make quick decisions. If we let them skate with it in our end too much, they will score. We also need to hold our own on the PK which seemed to be getting better late in the TB series.
6. Shut down VGK's top line. They are very skilled. The rest of their forwards aren't that worrisome.
All in all, we need to focus on scoring more than preventing scores. If we do that, the other part will fall into place. VGK can't score 150' from our goal.
