GDT R3G1 Capitals @ Lightning 2018-05-11 8:00pm EST NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS

[ArJunaZ]

GREAT GAME!!!

[alta]

That's a garunteed 1-1 coming home !!!!!

[HoustonCapsFan]

Good finish!  We let up early in the third but finished strong.

[RavenCp]

Congrats, done with this one!

[HoustonCapsFan]

That's a garunteed 1-1 coming home !!!!!

I’m greedy. I want to come home 2-0.

[ArJunaZ]

My concern is having to wait a long time to play in the final after we take down Tampa Bay in 4.

[Devise]

Responded well to the pressure of the series, but still gotta be strong for Game 2. Good win though. Very good. On the road first of the series, important one.

[alta]

Are we getting a little greedy?  We ARE up 4-2 against a very good team, ON THEIR ICE.  I'm happy and we are not the same old Caps that fold.

ahem......

[Brinkhoffs52]

My concern is having to wait a long time to play in the final after we take down Tampa Bay in 4.

Ever the optimist...

[ArJunaZ]

Good finish!  We let up early in the third but finished strong.

I'll disagree.  We did not let up. We made a dumb penalty and the Bolts are a very good team. Did you really EXPECT a shutout?

[alta]

My concern is having to wait a long time to play in the final after we take down Tampa Bay in 4.

this occurred to me as the NHL released the East R3 schedule as the West still hadn't finished R2

[Stealyerfaceoff]

Loving that game. The boys played really well.
Where would we be without Lars Eller?
Keep it up and go for the Cup.

[ArJunaZ]

Ever the optimist...

I will admit that I am with this team.  I've always thought we had the skilled players to go all the way in the past few years, but I was not optimistic much. This year it feels very different even though we did not start put with the level of skilled players as in years past. The thing everyone knows I used to accuse the Caps of not having was "Heart". We have a lot of that this year and we also have a lot of players that have developed incredibly well and therefore I am very optimistic this year.

And I am loving it!

[Mickstix]

Nice finish.. Not sure what Trotz was thinking with Ovechkin on the ice at the end though.. I mean, cool, he's showing him he believes or whatever? What if he blocks a shot with his hand? Or they score while he's "trying" to play D? Just not sure I see the upside to putting him out there in a situation similar to a PK.. But whatever, we up 1-0.. Yay!! 

[BlackIce]

Responded well to the pressure of the series, but still gotta be strong for Game 2. Good win though. Very good. On the road first of the series, important one.

Yup.  That's what the Blue Jackets said.  And that's what the Pens said.  This is a game in the books -- nothing more, nothing less.


In a way it might be a good thing that Tampa came back and made somewhat a game of it in the 3rd.  If they would have been completely embarrassed at home, that might have fueled a real hornet's next reaction on Sunday and beyond.  Getting halfway back into the game may tamp that down somewhat.  The real issue for them is Vasi's state of mind.  They really don't have a viable backup plan in goal.


I'd note that the Caps were credited with 15 hits this game.  Not exactly your claw-tooth-and-nail start to the series.

[Beaglefan2]

Nice finish.. Not sure what Trotz was thinking with Ovechkin on the ice at the end though.. I mean, cool, he's showing him he believes or whatever? What if he blocks a shot with his hand? Or they score while he's "trying" to play D? Just not sure I see the upside to putting him out there in a situation similar to a PK.. But whatever, we up 1-0.. Yay!! 

He always does that with Ovi and it’s a mistake. He wants to get him easy empty net goals - feeding the beast.  At this time of year, that’s not needed, or smart.

[ArJunaZ]

1st Period
07:28  GOAL 6-Kempny, assists 92-Kuznetsov & 74-Carlson   1-0 WSH
19:54  PP GOAL 8-Ovechkin, assists 92-Kuznetsov & 77-Oshie   2-0 WSH

2nd Period
02:40  GOAL 83-Beagle, assists 10-Connolly & 9-Orlov   3-0 WSH
06:42  PP GOAL 20-Eller, assists 77-Oshie & 8-Ovechkin   4-0 WSH

3rd Period
03:45  Bolts PP GOAL Stamkos, assists Kucherov & Hedman   4-1 WSH
13:03  Bolts GOAL Palat, assists Johnson & Stralman   4-2 WSH

FINAL:   4-2 WSH

[Beaglefan2]

Boy, Hedman is good. I think his ice time was about 59 minutes...

[Maacoshark]

   I like Stephenson more after every game. He gas played on all 4 lines and played all 3 forward positions in these playoffs. I can't believe how good he is defensively for such a young player. I also like his speed. He created a lot of high quality scoring chances tonight. He set up Connolly for a couple great chances. And he set up Carlson for a great chance which he hit the crossbar on. I love this kids game.
    I'm really liking our gameplan. Clogged up the neutral zone. Play sound defensive hockey and the offense will take care if itself. We don't need to run and gun with anyone.

[Maacoshark]

Boy, Hedman is good. I think his ice time was about 59 minutes...

   He might be the best dman in the league.