That feel. We know that feel.
In a disappointing effort, the Washington Capitals have dropped game one to the New York Islanders. The Isles played a nearly perfect game, and the Caps were on their heels from the game’s second shift.
Brock Nelson was all alone after a neutral-zone turnover, so he scored a quick one on Braden Holtby. Brooks Laich’s tenacious forecheck created a scoring opportunity for Marcus Johansson that he did not waste. But in the second period Ryan Strome scored a quick goal after John Tavares’ faceoff win, and Josh Bailey slapped a loose puck to put the Caps in a two-goal hole.
The third period had nothin’. Brock Nelson got an empty netter with 79 seconds left.
Isles beat Caps 4-1. Islanders lead the series 1-0.
- It was like playing against a time-traveled, younger version of yourself. The Isles were opportunistic, quick to transition, and pretty fun to watch. The real Caps of 2015 were physical as all hell, and they seemed comfortable playing without the puck– though I wish they wouldn’t have…
- Like, Brooks Laich, one of several great forecheckers tonight (big ups to Backstrom), chased that languid dump-in by Jay Beagle to create a goal. That’s a great play in a singular sense, but as a tactic, chasing the puck past neutral plays right into NYI’s hands. Those guys are great at taking it away at center ice and making a quick counterattack, which is what we saw way too much of in the first 30 minutes.
- Some guys stepped up. John Carlson and Brooks Orpik were good at both ends of the ice, (SCORPIK is totally coming btw). Even Jason Chimera and Joel Ward showed some creativity on the attack as well.
- But Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen got owned by Josh Bailey and Lubomir Visnovsky and pretty much everyone else they encountered. 2 and 27 were on the ice for the first three Islanders goals. Niskanen was on for the empty netter.
- With eight great shots on goal, Alex Ovechkin was solid but didn’t dent twine. The Isles, and Johnny Boychuk in particular, did a great job shadowing Ovi during the power play.
- Next time we’re talking about the let-the-boys-play ethos of postseason hockey, let us recall the softies Eric Fehr and Michael Grabner served. Seeing what happened to PK Subban out of town (which I’m kinda torn about) has me wondering how much of a myth we’re buying into, and what it costs us. More on that after Joe B’s suit.
Joe B suit of the night
“The puck is heavier in the playoffs.”
Whatever the hell that means. Perhaps the Caps played as if the puck were more than its regulation 6 ounces, but the Isles stuck to what worked for them in the regular season– an aggressive forecheck, a commitment to carrying the puck. The Caps had some great cycles and a couple good attacks, but they were too willing to dump the puck and too hesitant to control it.
5v5 was a bloodbath.
That– and these awful forward lines– will have to change on Friday. The only way that style of hockey with this level of execution can beat a team like New York is if you get all the good bounces. That might happen, but I don’t want to bank on it. Time for some adjustments. Regroup, and attack again.
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