Photo: Dave Reginek
The Washington Capitals beat one of the best possession teams in the league on Sunday, but not before weathering a last-minute onslaught by the Detroit Red Wings. That onslaught included six shot attempts – five of which were blocked by Washington defenders.
Karl Alzner literally saved the game himself, diving in front of a Riley Sheahan shot with 15.8 seconds remaining. Teemu Pulkkinen’s point shot ricocheted off Matt Niskanen’s skate to a wide-open Sheahan at the left circle. With Holtby facing the other direction, Alzner sacrificed his body – much like Tom Wilson did a few minutes earlier – and blocked the attempt with an awkward double-leg slide.
Mike Green was impressed.
Green on Alzner's leg-splitting blocked shot: "I told him he should be a goalie."
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) April 6, 2015
But to really appreciate how much bending and sliding Alzner did in that final minute, you really need to see this GIF.
The final 60 seconds of this game is a microcosm of what the Caps need to do every game in the playoffs. They need to prevent as many pucks from reaching the net as possible and back-up their teammates whenever they can. Because you never know when a seeing-eye puck like this one will find its way to an opposing player.
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