The Washington Capitals have taken their first ever lead in the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history, downing the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 at Capital One Arena. What a fun game in front of an insane crowd.
The Caps out-shot the Golden Knights 26 to 22, but were out-attempted at five-on-five 48 to 41.
- Alex Ovechkin opened scoring with his 14th goal of the playoffs. He is now tied with John Druce for the most goals in franchise history in a single postseason. He also became the fourth active player and 34th all time to record 60 career playoff goals. His 40 playoff goals since 2011 are also the most in the league within that timeframe.
- Seemingly rising from the dead, Evgeny Kuznetsov picked up right where he left off. Kuzy’s two point night gave him 27 points in this year’s playoffs, furthering his franchise record. The Caps two first line Russian forwards are only the fourth set of teammates to score at least 12 goals apiece in the last 20 postseasons.
- Braden Holtby, outside of his inexplicable gift goal to Tomas Nosek was otherwise perfect, stopping 21 of the Golden Knights’ 22 shots. Strong night from the beast.
- Devante Smith-Pelly had an eventful evening. DSP took a couple penalties, one nullifying a potential Chandler Stephenson goal, and scored his fifth of the playoffs to restore a two-goal Caps lead. The guy has found a way to score huge, clutch goals all postseason.
- The pairing of Michal Kempny and John Carlson was absolutely studly. Kempny led the way at five-on-five with a 63.2-percent shot attempt percentage, 70.6-percent scoring chance for percentage, and a 70-percent high danger chance for percentage.
- I also thought Andre Burakovsky had a great game. Dre beating out an icing in the third period is what eventually led to DSP’s insurance marker. He finished with a 61.1-percent five-on-five shot attempt percentage.
- Marc-Andre Fleury made about five or six absolutely unreal saves and the Caps were still able to find the net behind him three times. If Fleury is still playing at this elite level he has all playoffs and the Caps are finding ways to win hockey games, that’s a great sign (crosses fingers).
- Get greedy. The next mission is to take both at home.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-reference.com, Hockeystats.ca, NaturalStatTrick.com, Capitals PR, and Corsica.hockey.
Full RMNB Coverage of Game Three
Headline photo: Gregory Shamus
