With six games to go, it's gonna be a nail biter

Alex Ovechkin has the Caps flying high going into Tuesday's game against Buffalo.

Buffalo, Boston, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Florida, New York Rangers. Six games, twelve available points, and one playoff birth. This is what is left of the 2011-2012 regular season for the Washington Capitals. As of right now, Buffalo sits behind eighth place Washington tied with 84 points, but six less non-shootout wins to their credit for the first tie breaker (30 to Washington's 36). The Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers are within striking distance at 86 and 87 points respectively. So what will be the outcome when all is said and done with just six games from now? That would seem to be up to the Caps themselves.

Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres will bring their four game win streak into DC on Tuesday night, in what is a bit more than a critical game for both teams. A win for Buffalo would put their playoff destiny in their own hands, while a win in DC would allow for a bit of breathing room in the eighth seed. Miller will be the key player on the ice for Buffalo, while the red hot Alex Ovechkin will look to puncture the seemingly brick wall in the opposing net.

The other huge game down the stretch will be the home finale on April 5th when the Caps host the Florida Panthers. With a strong showing in the four games preceding it, the cinco de April matchup in DC could very well end up determining this years Southeast division champion. Of course, that matchup is a ways away. With a poor showing or two the Caps could potentially end their season before the game even arrives. So what determines the chances of a playoff run for DC's hockey squad?

1. Goaltending - The Caps will potentially be facing several elite goaltenders down the stretch, including Olympic hero Ryan Miller, last year's playoff MVP Tim Thomas, All-Star Carey Price, former Cap Jose Theodore, and the inevitable Vezina trophy winner for this year and possible league MVP, Henrik Lundqvist. If the Caps' goaltenders were to have an off night, throw in the towel. Third stringer Braden Holtby looks to be a definite to get the start in Tuesday's showdown against Buffalo, while Tomas Vokoun continues to work on a return from a nagging groin injury. What should be interesting is seeing how head coach Dale Hunter handles Michael Neuvirth upon Vokoun's return. Will we see another case of the unhappy goaltender in Washington come playoff time a la Brent Johnson, Olie Kolzig, Seymon Varlamov?

Despite the hot play of Holtby as of late, Hunter needs to remember that George McPhee brought Vokoun into the District to get the Capitals over the playoff hump. Vokoun is one of the league's elite goaltenders, and has to be the go-to guy down the stretch. Once Vokoun returns to game form, it probably will be time for Holtby to go fetch his car out of the airport parking lot.

2. Alex Ovechkin - Ovi is on a tear of late, scoring ten goals in his last ten games, with nine of them coming in the last seven. The question is, however, how long can the captain keep up the pace? Ovechkin had already hit the 18 minute mark by the end of Sunday's second period against Minnesota, which is clearly not an ice time that can be kept up without risking a "burnout." Ovechkin has carried this team on his back before. Now he is looking to do it again.

3. Nicklas Backstrom - Backstrom (concussion) has been symptom free for nearly two weeks, and skated for eleven out of twelve days, having recently been cleared to practice with no restrictions. Despite having only played 38 games this season, Backstrom remains the teams' fourth highest scorer (13 goals, 29 assists). While Ovechkin may be the team's leader both on the stat sheet and on the ice, Backstrom is the guy who can bring the Caps to an entire different level. If and when the Caps get the young Swede back, both Ovechkin and the power play unit will benefit greatly.