We finally made it Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Washington Capitals take on the Montreal Canadiens in D.C..
It looked like the boys dominated the majority of the game, but in typical Capitals fashion they didn’t make it look easy.
The Caps started the scoring with less than two minutes left in the 1st. On the powerplay Tom Wilson had a beautiful pass to Ovechkin who ripped it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
This was Ovi’s 73rd career playoff goal in 152 games and they showed a stat that Ovi has more playoff goals than the entire Canadian’s roster which has 61 in 394 combined games. UNREAL!
Then in the 2nd Anthony Beauvillier got a nice rebound and knocked it past the Habs goalie to make it 2-0 in the Caps favor.
Then in the 3rd the Habs showed some life at the hands of the youngster Cole Caufield. The shot from the point was hit by Roy’s skate which the puck was left alone for Caufield who ripped it past LT, 2-1 Caps.
Then a couple minutes later the Habs answered again after a mad scramble in front the puck found its way back to their D-man then LT made a couple great saves but with Cap’s defenders falling over after a big rebound Nick Suzuki tied the game at 2 a piece.
Then the game headed to overtime and then our Captain took the game into his own hands and was able to corral the pass from Beauvillier then put it home for the game winner.
Now we know Ovechkin has accomplished so much and broke so many records but this was his FIRST EVER career playoff overtime goal!!!!!
A win is a win and we got a 1-0 series lead so I won’t complain. It was very interesting to see Carbery go with Beauvillier on the Strome and Ovi line but it paid off and that’s why he gets paid the big bucks and I am sitting here typing on a keyboard.
I loved the physicality the boys played with tonight, definitely felt like a playoff atmosphere on the ice tonight. Alex Alexeyev who I haven’t really seen much of this season or heard his name mentioned, but he was a focal point tonight when came to physicality which was great to see from a guy who I wasn’t that familiar with.
Logan Thompson played well tonight even after not playing since April 2nd, aside from the shitshow that was that 3rd period which was more on the defensive collapse in that period especially on the Suzuki goal which I don’t how not one Cap’s stick wasn’t able to clear the puck.
Game 2 comes Wednesday, so let’s hope the boys can play a full 3 periods rather than just two and prevent the increased stress level. Also, I know Protas is waiting in the wings recovering from his injury, but having him back in this lineup once he is full go will be huge.
The Morning Skate 