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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 45-Stanley Cup Final

written by Ian Sheppard

Day 45 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was the final one with the Washington Capitals having the chance to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with a victory in Game 5 in Las Vegas. And they took full advantage of that chance finally taking the title of Stanley Cup Champions.

 Here’s how it went down:

 Washington 4-3 Vegas

Washington wins series 4-1

After three straight wins and two consecutive outstanding performances by Braden Holtby, the Caps were hoping for more of the same in Game 5. The stakes were never higher for a Vegas Golden Knights team that had, up to this point, shocked the world.

The first period was relatively close in play with Washington outshooting Vegas but only by a count of 10-7 after the first frame as the opening period went scoreless. The scoring drought ended there as the second period would contain a total of five goals.

The Caps would strike first just under seven minutes into the second period. Deryk Engelland rocketed a shot past the Washington net and off the glass setting up a Caps rush. Jakub Vrana took off with the puck up the wing and sniped a shot over the shoulder of Marc-Andre Fleury and into the corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.

 

Vegas would tie the game just over three minutes later. The Golden Knights set up some pressure in the Caps zone, and Nate Schmidt threw a puck on net deflecting it off the skate of Matt Niskanen and past Holtby for the tie.

It didn’t last long as Washington would retake the lead a minute later. Brayden McNabb was called for tripping after bringing Alexander Ovechkin down on a breakaway.

On the powerplay, Nicklas Backstrom showed great patience waiting with the puck before throwing the perfect saucer pass cross-ice to Ovechkin who sniped it past Fleury for the 2-1 lead, for his 15th of the playoffs the 22nd powerplay goal of the postseason for Washington.

The Golden Knights would tie the game on a controversial goal. Tomas Tatar threw a shot on net with Christian Djoos and David Perron fighting in the crease, with Perron being shoved into the back of the net and Holtby going down to the ice. The puck went off Perron and in.

Washington immediately challenged for goaltender interference, and despite what looked to be obvious, the call on the ice stood and goal counted for the 2-2 tie. The argument could be made that Djoos shoved Perron into his net, but for all intents and purposes, it looked like it shouldn’t count.

It wasn’t done there. After Ovechkin took a tripping penalty, Vegas would capitalize with 28 seconds left in the second. Shea Theodore threw the puck on net, Alex Tuch picked up the rebound and made a backward pass to the left of Holtby to Reilly Smith who buried it in the open net for his fifth of the playoffs and the 3-2 lead.

The Capitals would tie the game at three in the third period. And who else but Devante Smith-Pelly to score the critical goal. After Brooks Orpik worked to keep the puck in the Knight’s zone on the blue-line, he threw it on net. The puck hit Smith-Pelly’s skate and he bounced it to his stick, shooting it into the back of the net as he was falling, past a sprawled-out Fleury.

With 7:37 left in the game Lars Eller became the hero for the Washington Capitals. The Caps turned up the pressure with Andre Burakovsky taking possession behind the net and throwing it out to Brett Connolly who one-timed it on net. Marc-Andre Fleury thought he had the puck between his pads, but it snuck through, and Eller snuck in behind the goaltender to bury the eventual Stanley Cup-winning goal.

The Vegas Golden Knights surprised everyone by being better and so much more than anyone could have been expected coming into the 2017-18 season. Not only winning the Pacific Division and making the playoffs but making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final and doing it in 15 games. However, it was not enough to go the distance and be Champions in their inaugural season.

The Washington Capitals were finally able to do what they never could before. Win Lord’s Stanley Cup. They went the distance finally getting over the hump and eliminating the Pittsburgh Penguins advancing to the Eastern Conference Final. Then fought back down 3-2 in the series to the Tampa Bay Lightning to advance to Stanley Cup Final where they won four straight after a hot Vegas team won Game 1.

The Conn Smythe trophy went to Alexander Ovechkin and deservedly so. With 15 goals, most of the playoffs, Ovi finally led his team to the pinnacle.

Congratulations to Ovechkin and to the Washington Capitals on becoming the 2018 Stanley Cup Champions on Day 45 of the Playoffs.

 

June 8, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 44-Stanley Cup Finals

written by Ian Sheppard

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final was much like Game 3. One-sided. Washington scored early and often and once again received outstanding goaltending from Braden Holtby. They take a 3-1 strangle-hold and are one win away from being Stanley Cup Champions.

Here’s how it went down:

Vegas 2-6 Washington

Washington leads series 3-1

 

The Washington Capitals came into Game 4 looking to take a strangle hold on the cup final with a 3-1 series lead. The Vegas Golden Knights on the other hand, had plans of sending the series back home tied at two.

With that, came some line-up changes with head coach Gerard Gallant opting to put Tomas Tatar in the line-up over David Perron on the third line next to Cody Eakin and Ryan Carpenter.

 It was a fast-paced opening with both teams flying around the ice and the Golden Knights missing on several scoring chances, hitting the post two or three times in the opening minutes of play.

After Colin Miller took a tripping penalty, the Caps would capitalize on the powerplay scoring halfway through the first period. Off the rush Evgeny Kuznetsov threw the puck on net and TJ Oshie came in to clean up the rebound, kicking the puck to his stick before putting it in the net.

The Caps added to their lead with just under four minutes left in the opening frame. With a group of tired Golden Knights left on the ice, a few defenders got caught chasing Alexander Ovechkin, leaving Kuznetsov open to take the puck behind the net and send it back out in front to Tom Wilson who buried it under the glove of Marc-Andre Fleury for the 2-0 lead.

Washington wasn’t done there. They kept piling on before the end of the first period. Devante Smith-Pelly would score in his second consecutive game. Off of another Vegas turnover, Ovechkin sends a long cross-ice pass to Smith-Pelly down low who, like Oshie, kicked the puck to his stick and roofed it over the blocker of Fleury for a three-goal lead.

The route continued well into the second period when Washington made it 4-0 with just under five minutes left. After James Neal took a slashing penalty, Kuznetsov added his fourth point of the night when he threw the puck cross-ice to John Carlson who one-timed it home for his fifth of the playoffs and tying the record for most playoff points for a Capitals defender at 54.

Vegas would finally solve Braden Holtby, however it may have been too late as it came with 14 minutes left in the game. Erik Haula set up James Neal down low who roofed it over the shoulder of Holtby to cut the score down to 4-1.

The Knights would cut the lead in half just under seven minutes later. Reilly Smith would score his fourth of the playoffs after taking a pass in front of the net from Jonathan Marchessault, and backhanded it past Holtby.

It wouldn’t be enough as Washington would put this game away once and for all scoring again with on six minutes left. Nicklas Backstrom picked up the puck after TJ Oshie layer a questionable hit on Colin Miller that could have been a bit high. Backstrom made a pass to Michal Kempny who blasted the puck on a one-timer for his second of the playoffs.

Brett Connolly would score on a two-man advantage later in the period to add more salt to the already infect wound of the beaten down Golden Knights.

Braden Holtby has found the same Conn Smythe level of play we have seen from the Marc-Andre Fleury this postseason. He once again had the most solid game of any Capitals player stopping 29 of 30 Golden Knights shots.

The Capitals again found themselves reach a high number of blocks, hitting above 20 for the second game in a row. They totaled 24 blocks in Game 4.

The Washington Capitals are one win away from being Stanley Cup Champions taking the 3-1 strangle-hold heading into Game 5. However, it would be just like Vegas to find a way out of a series like this.

Will Ovi raise the cup Thursday night? Puck drop is at 6 p.m. MT from T-Mobile Arena.

June 5, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 43-Stanley Cup Finals

written by Ian Sheppard

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals was a one-sided affair with the Washington Capitals taking a 2-1 advantage in the series. They once again got an elite performance from their goaltender and scoring from a couple of their superstars on their way to victory.

Here’s how it went down:

Vegas 1-3 Washington

Washington leads series 2-1

After Game 2 where Washington held control through the first two frames and Braden Holtby shut the door with some miraculous saves late in the third period, they looked to bring the series back home for a strong showing to gain a solid series lead.

Washington would score first with Chandler Stephenson snapping one past Marc-Andre Fleury but the goal was waived off due to Devante Smith-Pelly making clear contact with Fleury knocking his mask off.

The Caps would however score the first goal of the game….again. This time early in the second period with a barrage of bodies in front of the net chipping away until Alexander Ovechkin found the puck while falling to the ice and put it in the net off the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

Washington would add to their lead with seven minutes left in the middle frame. Returning from a wrist injury that looked like it might cause him to miss time, Evgeny Kuznetsov broke out on a 3-on-1 with Jay Beagle and Dmitri Orlov. Kuznetsov decided to hold onto the puck and shoot it through the five-hole of Fleury for the 2-0 lead.

Vegas would cut the lead in half, but at the hands of a Caps mistake. Braden Holtby played the puck behind his net and gave it right to Tomas Nosek who put it in the empty net for his fourth of the playoffs, making it 2-1 with 16 minutes left in the game.

The Capitals would however put the game away with six minutes left. Shea Theodore, who had a rough game all night, gave the puck away in his own zone. After Jay Beagle took the turnover and through back into the slot to Devante Smith-Pelly who lifted it over the glove of Fleury for the 3-1 lead and a 2-1 lead in the series.

Braden Holtby managed to have a solid night stopping 21 of 22 Knights shots, with the one goal being the mistake give-away from behind his own net.

Washington out performed Vegas in every category out-shooting them 26-22 and owning a 63% face-off percentage. They landed 38 hits and blocked 26 shots on way to victory. The Caps will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead after Game 4, heading back to Vegas.

Game 4 will take place Monday night at. 6 p.m. MT from Capital One Arena.

June 3, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 42-Stanley Cup Finals

written by Ian Sheppard

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals had less offence than Game 1, but it saw the Washington Capitals win their first Stanley Cup Final game in franchise history behind an amazing performance from their goaltender.

Here’s how it went down:

Washington 3-2 Vegas

Series tied 1-1

After a Game 1 where both teams went back and forth trading goals for a total of 10 against two elite goaltenders, Game 2 was hard to predict. Would we get more offence, or would Marc-Andre Fleury and Braden Holtby bounce back and make it a nail biter?

That held true up to eight minutes into the first period when Vegas buried their 8th shot attempt for a 1-0 lead. Luca Sbisa flipped a floater into the Caps zone from the neutral zone and James Neal snapped a shot over the shoulder of Holtby for his fifth of the playoffs.

Washington would tie the game with two and a half minutes left in the first. On a 4-on-4 face-off to the left of Holtby, Andre Burakovsky made a cross-ice pass while falling, to Michal Kempny who held onto the puck just long enough before feeding it to Lars Eller who put it in the open net to tie it at one.

Alexander Ovechkin scored his first of the finals in the second period for the 2-1 Caps lead. Just over five minutes into the middle frame Washington took advantage of the powerplay and through a series of passes capitalized with a goal after Lars Eller found The Captain open to the right of Fleury who sent it home.

It only took four minutes for Washington to add to their lead. Vegas got caught on a defensive pinch sending the Caps out on a break where Lars Eller made a third contribution to a goal, making a nice pass behind his body to Brooks Orpik who threw it on net. The puck bounced off some bodies and the post and in for the 3-1 lead.

Vegas would score on a powerplay of their own to cut the lead to 3-2. Shea Theodore would wrist a shot from the blue-line which made its way through a screened Holtby for his third of the postseason.

That’s where the hopes ended for Vegas and the scoring stopped. Braden Holtby won the game for his team in the third period stopping 15 shots in the final frame, and all but two of the 39 shots he faced all night. The Golden Knights had two or three major scoring chances in the last few minutes but Holtby did what he needed to, sealing the deal and tying the series at one.

Evgeny Kuznetsov left the game in the first period after taking a hit from Brayden McNabb and favouring his left wrist. The Caps will surely be awaiting any prognosis they can get before Game 3.

Game 3 will take place Saturday at 6 p.m. MT from Capital One Arena.

May 31, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 41- Stanley Cup Final Game 1

written by Arik Krause

Day 41 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs saw the Vegas Golden Knights host the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Yes, that’s right. An expansion team is hosting Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Here’s how the game played out:

Las Vegas Golden Knights 6-4 Washington Capitals

Las Vegas leads the series 1-0

Before the game even started Las Vegas had the hockey world talking with their pregame ceremony, which included an Excalibur like intro and ended with Michael Buffer announcing the starting lineup for both teams.

Let’s skip the theatrics and get right into the hockey game though. The first 10 minutes of the first period was all Vegas as they were out-shooting the Capitals 9-1 halfway through. Andre Burakovsky took a boarding penalty against Cody Eakin 5:53 into the first period putting the Golden Knights on the powerplay.

At 7:15 of the first period Colin Miller blasts one home.

Washington seemed to find their footing after that though and dominated the second half of the first period for the most part.

Brett Connolly deflects one home 14:41 into the first period.

Nicklas Backstrom would go on to take the lead for Washington 15:23 into the first frame. Two goals in 42 seconds put Washington up by one.

William Karlsson 18:19 into the first period would find the puck off an end board bounce, knock it off of Braden Holtby’s shoulder and tie the game up at 2’s.

The goal scoring didn’t stop in the 2nd period as Reilly Smith would find the back of the net 3:21 in.

6 minutes later (8:29 into the 2nd period) to be precise John Carlson and T.J. Oshie would combine for a beautiful passing play tying the game up at 3’s.

We’d skate that way through the remainder of the 2nd period, and both teams would enter the 3rd tied at 3.

Early in the 3rd period (1:10), the Capitals would take the lead on a Tom Wilson deflection.

Only to have the lead shortly extinguished by none other than Ryan Reaves.

The eventual game-winning goal would be by Vegas’s fourth line again who simply dominated this game, Tomas Nosek 9:44 into the 3rd period.

We’d get into some controversy in the third period by who else? Tom Wilson who was a little bit late on finishing his check.

Vegas would end up icing the game off with an empty-netter and take game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals 6-4 over the Washington Capitals.

Who would’ve thought that both goalies would let up 4 or more goals in this game after how well they’ve both played.

One thing for sure, this series is going to be a long, exciting series that will hopefully go the distance.

Vegas out-shot the Capitals 34-28, while the Capitals would outhit the Golden Knights 38-25.

 

Game 2: Goes Wednesday at 8 PM EST from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

May 29, 2018 0 comment
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2018 Stanley Cup Final Preview

written by Arik Krause
Conference Finals Recap

Vegas was already the best expansion team in North American sports history going into the Conference Finals and they didn’t stop there. They walked through the Winnipeg Jets in five games as they advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. Vegas owns a stunning 12-3 record in the playoffs so far.

Washington went down 0-2 in their series against the Blue Jackets. People counted them out. They advanced to play Pittsburgh. People counted them out. They finally beat the Penguins only to play the best team in the East. People counted them out. Yet they are still standing, weirdly enough the least talented team they’ve brought to the dance over the last decade. It’s only fitting that this is the team that has gone all the way.

Washington Capitals

Won Eastern Conference Final 4-3 over Tampa Bay.

As a personal fan of the Washington Capitals this series was a roller coaster of emotions. Washington finally beats Pittsburgh, only to play against the best team in the East. The Capitals jump out to a quick 2-0 series lead taking home-ice advantage completely away from the Lightning. The Lightning come back to Washington and take home-ice advantage back beating the Capitals twice at Capital One Arena. Game five also went to the Lightning as they put the Capitals on the brink. Holtby shuts the door completely in Game 6 & 7 to send the Lightning packing and the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1998.

Notable Players to Watch

I might show a bit of bias here, but does anybody in history have a better one-timer than Alexander Ovechkin?

Alexander Ovechkin is on a mission and I don’t think Vegas has anybody that can reliably stop him. Ovechkin in his 13th season and after establishing himself as the best goal scorer of this generation (If you forgot, he just won his 7th Rocket Richard Trophy). Will be playing in his first Stanley Cup Final.

The secondary scoring for the Capitals has arrived at the perfect time. Andre Burakovsky drew into the lineup for Game 7 and he didn’t disappoint with two goals to put the game completely out of reach.

Braden Holtby since coming into the playoffs in Game 3 against the Blue Jackets has been everything as advertised and has seemed to put the terrible regular season behind him.  Holtby comes into the Finals with a .924% SV and a shutout streak of 157+ minutes.

Vegas Golden Knights

Won Western Conference Final 4-1 over Winnipeg.

The Golden Knights motto for the playoffs has been “Welcome to Impossible” and who can blame them? Vegas coming into the regular season were placed at 500-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup and now they’re only four games away from doing so. Nobody expected them to even be in the playoffs, let alone make it to the Finals with a 12-3 record.

The team consisting of labelled “misfits” is simply playing fantastic hockey, then again it sure helps when goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is posting an unconscious .947SV% through 15 games.

Will the Golden Knights complete the impossible?

Notable Players to Watch

It truly has been a team effort by the Golden Knights to get to this point. Vegas has one clear stand out when it comes to scoring this postseason and that player is Jonathan Marchessault who leads the way with 18 (8G, 10A) points.

The Golden Knights will also be hoping for some more of this from William Karlsson, up front they are outpowered by the Capitals and Karlsson will have to have a big series if Vegas is going to win.

Marc-Andre Fleury is without a doubt the current Conn Smythe favourite and I think he should be considered to win it even if the Golden Knights lose this series. Fleury has posted unrealistic numbers through 15 games in these playoffs with 4 shutouts and a .947%SV. He will simply have to be the Golden Knights best player all series long.

 Season Series

Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-0)

It’s the Stanley Cup Finals, regular season series doesn’t mean anything. But we wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t list it.

Conclusion

This series is comparing the improbable to the impossible. This is the year Washington wasn’t supposed to make it, this is by far the worst team they’ve had on paper in recent playoff runs, yet this team is the one that will get to play for Lord’s Stanley.

The Golden Knights are already the best expansion team in North American sports history and if they don’t win the championship I hope that doesn’t tarnish anything they’ve already accomplished this year.

Will Marc-Andre Fleury continue getting the last laugh over Alexander Ovechkin and his Capitals or will the Russian sniper that we’ve all grown to love over the years finally lift the one accomplishment that’s always eluded him?

Whatever happens, this years Stanley Cup Finals will lead to an unforgettable story for one side.

My Prediction: Capitals in 6.

I don’t think Vegas has the firepower to keep up with the Capitals forwards unless Marc-Andre Fleury completely stands on his head like he’s done so far, I don’t see a situation where the Golden Knights can win.

May 28, 2018 1 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 40-Eastern Conferance Final

written by Jordan Clarke

Day 40 of the Eastern Conference Final saw another chippy game with great chances and better goaltending.  With the help from an unlikely hero, the Washington Capitals advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1998.

Here’s how the game played out:

Washington Capitals 4-0 Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington wins series 4-3

The Washington Capitals had the opportunity Tuesday night to science the doubters once again, that they did with a stellar game seven performance on the road.  The Capitals went with Braden Holtby who has been playing lights out since regaining his starting job in game three of the first round, and Alex Ovechkin who has been playing like a man possessed this round.

Holtby saved his best for last in this series, shutting out Tampa Bay for the second half of game five as well as game six and seven. Holtby stopped 29 shots in game seven and finished the series with a shut-out streak of 159 minutes. Tampa Bay did have there fair share of chances but simply couldn’t break thorugh.

Washington opened the scoring early on a Ovechkin lazar beam just 1:02 into the game. A neutral-zone turnover by Tampa led to a beauty feed from Evgeny Kuznetsov to Ovechkin for his famous one-timer to make 1-0 early taking the crowd out of the game.

Mid-way through the first is when the rough stuff began, a scrum in front of Hotlby lead to coincidental unsportsmanlike penalties for Tom Wilson and Brayden Coburn. As soon as the two stepped out of the penalty box they would through down for a spirited tilt in which both men got their shots in and led to bloody knuckles from Wilson.

Washington would add to their lead mid way through the second.  Dan Girardi would miss handle a dump in from Washington and Andre Burakovsky picked up the loose puck, snapping home his first of the playoffs to give the Caps a 2-0 lead.

Burakovsky was not done there, an offensive zone turnover paired with a bad line change led to Burakovsky being left all alone in the neutral zone. John Carlson would make no mistake with his pass sending Burakovsky in alone sniping one five hole on Andrei Vasilevskiy to make it 3-0 Capitals and seemingly putting an end to the game.  Nicklas Backstrom would add an empty netter to officially seal the deal.

Tampa Bay played their hearts out for the majority of the playoffs. They just ran into a Capitals team that would not be denied of making the Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa Bay is very close to winning a Stanley Cup, they could very well be the favorites next year, all Tampa had to do better was score five on five more constantly, if they did they may have won the series.

Washington has been in three tough series so far, Devante Smith-Pelly, T.J Oshie and Brooks Orpik all seemed to be shaken up in game seven. Most notably Orpik who was hit from behind into the boards by Cedric Paquette and was down for a few moments . Luckily for Washington all three have a few days to heal their wounds.

The Capitals now turn their attention to the Vegas Golden Knights who has been patiently waiting for the winner. It should be a fun series as both will be looking to get their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Does Ovechkin finally cement his legacy and win the Stanley Cup that has eluded him for his career? Or do the Golden Knights finish off the inaugural season with a Stanley Cup victory?

The fun will begin Monday, May 28th at 6 p.m. MT.

May 24, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 38-Eastern Conference Final

written by Ian Sheppard

Day 38 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a low-scoring one for the first time in the Eastern Conference Final. Great goaltending on both sides and a physical game from Washington leads to a Game 7.

Here’s how it went down:

 Tampa Bay 0-2 Washington

Series tied 3-3

After a commanding win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final the Tampa Bay Lightning looked to book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final to meet the Vegas Golden Knights.

After the Lightning jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in Game 5, they looked to do the same in Game 6 and remain undefeated at the Capital One Arena in the playoffs. But Washington was going to give them a dog-fight.

The first period went scoreless but was a very even opening frame. It was a tough physical period with both Braden Holtby and Andrei Vasilevskiy turning away scoring chances on both ends.

The shot totals were almost even too with Washington totaling eight shots and Tampa Bay six.

More back and forth physical play carried its way into the second period. A first period fight between Brooks Orpik and JT Miller seemed to give way to some heavy hits in the second, with Washington especially throwing bodies with 30 hits after two periods of play. 

With under five minutes left in the second we finally got our first goal of the game. The Caps would score on the powerplay with Nicklas Backstrom setting up TJ Oshie in slot who sniped a one-timer past Vasilevskiy who had little time to use his quick lateral movement to make the save.

The Caps would add to their lead with 10 minutes left in the game. After both teams traded scoring chances, Chandler Stephenson beat out an icing call to eventually feed the puck back into the slot for Devante Smith-Pelly who snapped a shot past the Lightning goaltender for a 2-0 lead.

After three straight games where he gave up a total of 10 goals, Braden Holtby had a massive bounce

-back game stopping all 23 shots faced from Tampa Bay for his first shutout of this postseason and his fifth of his career in the playoffs.

The Capitals showered Tampa Bay with pressure all game throwing 34 shots on net and brought a level of physicality we have yet to see from them in the playoffs so far. Brigning all of that in Game 6 and handing the Lightning their first playoff loss at Capital One Arena results in a Game 7 for the East crown.

Game 7 will take place Wednesday night at 6 p.m. MT from Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay.

May 22, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 36-Eastern Conference Final

written by Ian Sheppard

Day 36 was back to the high scoring match-up that we’ve been accustomed to since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. Tampa Bay scored early and held onto the lead behind more great goaltending as they come within one win of the Stanley Cup Final.

Here’s how it went down:

Washington Capitals 2-3 Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay leads series 3-2

After both teams swapped wins on the other’s home ice, Game 5 was set to be an exciting match-up. With a total of 26 goals being scored in the first four games, with no game having a goal total less than six, this one was set to be exciting.

The Capitals looked for a more physical game with head coach Barry Trotz opting to play Alex Chiasson over Andre Burakovsky on the fourth line with Jay Beagle and Devante Smith-Pelly, but it didn’t seem to make a difference with Tampa Bay outshooting Washington 6-1 in the first half of the opening period.

It was a rough start for Caps goaltender Braden Holtby who let in two early, lightly shot goals.

 Tampa Bay would only take 19 seconds to open up the scoring with Cedric Paquette scoring his first of the postseason.

The puck was bouncing around in the neutral zone and found two Lightning players in the Caps end as Ryan Callahan poked the puck past the defender to Paquette who snuck it between the five-hole of Holtby.

 Nine minutes later the Lightning would add to their lead. Three Tampa Bay forwards entered the zone with Dmitry Orlov blowing a tire. Nikita Kucherov took the puck and slid it to Ondrej Palat who sniped a weak shot from between the face-off circle past Holtby for the 2-0 lead.

Tampa Bay would waste no time once again scoring 33 seconds into the second period. The Lightning fourth line found legs with Anton Stralman carrying the puck up the wing and driving to the net and throwing it on Holtby. The puck bounced in the air, and Ryan Callahan crashed the net and had it deflect in for his second of the playoffs.

The goal was reviewed and deemed that Callahan did not get the puck in with his hand and the goal stood for the 3-0 lead.

Washington would finally get on the board in the second, breathing a bit of life back into their game. Matt Niskanen would blast a shot from the blue-line with Evgeny Kuznetsov tipping it in from in front of the net for his sixth goal of the playoffs.

Alex Ovechkin would score his first goal since Game 2 with the net empty. Holtby headed to the bench with two minutes left in the game and with the Caps setting up in the Tampa Bay zone John Carlson sent a pass to Ovi from the blue-line and the captain one-timed it home to cut the lead to 3-2.

Sadly, for Washington, it wasn’t enough as Tampa Bay stood tall in the dying seconds to hold onto the win and 3-2 series lead.

Andrei Vasilevskiy continued to be the backbone of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since giving up 1tengoals in the first two games of the series, he has only given up six since Game 2. In Game 5 he made 28 saves and in the last three games ,he’s made 100 saves on 106 Washington shots.

Tampa Bay outpowered Washington from the time the puck dropped in Game 5. Whether it be the quick start and early two goals in the first period or the tremendous defense and goaltender that allowed them to hold the two-goal lead through two periods of play.

The series heads back to Washington on Monday night. Game 6 starts at 6 p.m. MT from Capital One Arena.

May 20, 2018 0 comment
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Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap-Day 30

written by Ian Sheppard

Day 30 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a one-sided one. Washington took control late in the second period and never looked back taking a commanding 2-0 series lead back home Tuesday night for Game 3.

Here’s how it went down:

Washington Capitals 6-2 Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington leads series 2-0

 The Washington Capitals drove their way past the Penguins and into the Eastern Conference Final and they didn’t slow down in Game 1, winning by a score of 4-2 on Friday night. The Caps looked to take a 2-0 series lead on Sunday while Tampa Bay hoped to fight their way back in.

The first period was full of shots with a total of 23 between both teams. The physical element was present early with a total of 26 hits in the first period with both teams were getting nasty throughout the matchup.

Washington didn’t waste any time picking up where they left off in Game 1, scoring just 28 seconds into Game 2.

Washington carried the puck into the Tampa zone with Evgeny Kuznetsov missing the net with his shot. The puck found its way to the blue-line where Matt Niskanen fired a shot that was deflected by Tom Wilson past Andrei Vasilevskiy for the early 1-0 lead.

As quickly as Wilson scored, he made a play that would cost his team the lead. After running into Vasilevskiy and taking a goalie interference penalty, Tampa Bay would capitalize.

Steven Stamkos would one-time a shot from the face-off circle that deflected off the foot of a Washington defender. Brayden Point was set up in front of the net to knock in the rebound for his fifth of the playoffs.

Another penalty would cost Washington three and a half minutes later. Or what was deemed a penalty.

TJ Oshie was called for high-sticking on a play where his stick came up high but did not contact the face of Viktor Hedman. The puck ended up hitting Hedman, and Oshie was called for the infraction.

On the powerplay, Steven Stamkos one-timed a pass from Nikita Kucherov past Braden Holtby for his fifth of the playoffs. Of the Captain’s five goals this was his fourth with the man-advantage this postseason.

Washington would tie the game less than three minutes into the second period on a quick transition. Taking the puck out of their own end and down into the offensive zone on a two-on-one. Alex Chiasson set up Devante Smith-Pelly with a cross-ice pass who snapped home his third of the postseason.

The Caps would tally what would be consecutive back-breakers and take a 4-2 lead into the third period. With the puck behind the Lightning net, Anton Stralman blew a tire and couldn’t regain position. Jakub Vrana took the puck and fed it into the slot for Lars Eller who buried it over Vasilevskiy.

The second goal came with 1.2 seconds left in the period. Evgeny Kuznetsov tried to feed a pass to Eller in the crease, but the puck bounced off Vasilevskiy and through his five-hole and into the net for the two-goal lead.

Washington took away whatever life was left in Amalie Arena in the third period. Kuznetsov broke out on a two-on-one with Alex Ovechkin after a bad pinch by Braydon Coburn. Kuznetsov fed the puck past a sprawling Anton Stralman to the Captain who buried his 10th of the playoffs for a 5-2 lead.

Brett Connolly would add a goal with seven minutes left to secure the four-goal win and 2-0 series lead for Washington.

Braden Holtby was quietly outstanding only allowing the two Lightning goals, stopping 33 of 35 Tampa Bay shots.

Washington now finds themselves up 2-0 in their first Eastern Conference Finals in 20 years taking the series back home.

Tampa Bay has looked outmatched through two games and will need to figure out a way to control the Capitals in Game 3 or their Stanley Cup Final hopes will be gone shortly after starting.

Game 3 will take place Tuesday night at 6 p.m. MT from the Capital One Arena.

May 14, 2018 0 comment
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