Brooks Laich holds Carl Hagelin to the ice during the first period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — Capitals fans likely aren’t much interested in a reminder of their team’s Game 7 history, or how it often corresponds with relinquishing commanding series leads.

No, not one day before the Capitals skate into Madison Square Garden for Game 7 of an Eastern Conference seminal in which they previously held a 3-1 lead.

Brooks Laich, a weekly guest of The Sports Junkies, was at the receiving end of their predictions for Capitals-Rangers Game 7, in which they attempted to determine the Caps’ probability of winning.

“Look, I said it was zero percent,” Jason Bishop said on 106.7 The Fan. “And the reason I say that, it’s not because of my lack of faith of you as a player or the Caps as a team; it’s just, based on history, the Rangers in this particular scenario are much better than the Caps. And you know that. I understand it’s a different team, different season; yada, yada, yada. But based on history, they’re better than we are in this spot. Tell me why I should feel better.”

“You, uh. I love you buddy, but you’re um, you’re lucky I’m not in the studio,’ Laich replied, genuinely displeased, it seemed.

For Laich, who has been around for plenty of Capitals’ postseason implosions, history has no bearing Wednesday’s game. Game 7 will be of its own place and time, independent of prior experiences.

“You know what? I don’t care what history says,” he said. “I don’t care what stats say. That game tomorrow night is played on the ice, tomorrow night. That’s where that game is played, and that’s all that matters. We’re at Kettler right now, we’re gonna have a great practice, get on the plane. We’re gonna fly there today, we’re gonna pre-scout them. We are going to be prepared to play the game tomorrow, and we can’t wait to play the game tomorrow.”

Laich, when asked whether Alex Ovechkin’s Game 7 semi-guarantee provides the Rangers with any additional motivation, remained focused on the task at hand.

“My motivation is just to win,” he said. “I love this sport. To win a Stanley Cup has been a goal of mine since I was a kid. You grow up in Canada, that’s what you want to do. That’s my motivation. If somebody wants to say something, they can say it, that’s fine. But my motivation has always been just to try and win the hockey game.”

Listen to the interview below. Fast-forward to the 12:30-minute mark.

Follow @ChrisLingebach and @1067TheFanDC.