There was a point on Friday night when the Caps trailed the Islanders 3-1. All hope seemed lost. A 2-0 series deficit was on the horizon.
Then Alex Ovechkin scored. Nicklas Backstrom crashed the party next. And then, finally, Jason Chimera, last game’s goat (who probably should have been scratched tonight), gave the home team their first lead of the series.
4-3. Chimera’s tally would stand as the game winning goal. Series tied.
Chimera’s goal was made possible by a horrible turnover by Nick Leddy. This is why you never pass the puck to the center of the ice in your own zone. The puck pinballed around the slot a couple of times before popping out to Chimera. The Ice Cheetah threw a shot blindly to the net. It went in.
The goal would continue Jason Chimera’s pure domination of New York hockey teams in the playoffs.
Fun Fact: 7 of Jason Chimera's 9 career playoff goals have come against New York hockey teams.
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) April 18, 2015
Chimera has 7 goals in 21 career playoff games against New York hockey teams. He has two goals in his other 24 games. That is bizarre and I love it.
After the game, Chimera just geeked out about the atmosphere at Verizon Center with Al Koken. “The fan support was awesome,” he said. “[Scoring here] is the best best feeling ever. When we tied it up 3-3, I’ve never heard it that loud before.”
What a win.
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