For the first time this postseason, the Washington Capitals blew a lead, letting the Carolina Hurricanes sneak back into the game and series, forcing Game Seven on Wednesday night. But before we get there, let’s relive this pain together.
Brett Connolly kicked us off with some great moves low along the goal line. Archvillain Warren Foegele struck back, scoring on a spin-o-rama after a Canes power play expired, but Alex Ovechkin restored Washington’s lead with a beautiful wrister to make it 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Sebastian Aho pickpocketed Jonas Siegenthaler early in the second period to force a turnover and tie the game. Then, four minutes into the third period, Jordan Staal outworked Niskanen and Orlov up close to make it 3-2 Canes. Justin Williams added a deflection to make it 4-2 to surprise Holtby. Dougie Hamilton added an empty-netter.
Caps lose. The series is tied 3-3. We’re going to a Game Seven.
- Brett Connolly is here. Scoring down-low goals like a man half his age. JK he’s like 26.
- Alex Ovechkin delivers. He recorded his fourth goal of the series in the first period, a lovely rush with Dmitry Orlov supplying a great net-front presence. The Caps have been at their best this postseason when they coordinate a multi-player rush. If only they could do it more.
- Ovechkin came darn close to scoring a heroic tuck-in goal in the third period, but the officials determined Ovechkin pushed Petr Mrazek‘s pads behind the goal line, a violation fo rule 69. I’ll be cranky about this for a long time.
Alex Ovechkin's no goal pic.twitter.com/M0u4VaVOX3
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) April 23, 2019
Finally, an explanation for #Caps waved off goal. pic.twitter.com/HhrPSUp59n
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 23, 2019
- Oh, also, Ovi did this. I don’t know about this.
- Jonas Siegenthaler had an unfortunate turnover in the second period. After the linesman waved off icing, Siegenthaler’s stick got stuck on the boards as Sebastian Aho’s forecheck (and possible slash) earned him a steal. I don’t know if that was a rookie mistake, a bad bounce, or a travesty of a missed penalty call. Let me know in the comments.
- Jordan Staal’s goal in the third period had no red marks on it. That was the very first time the lead has changed in the series. Sigh.
Here is, and forgive me for saying this, hopefully the last #JoeBSuitOfTheNight of the season pic.twitter.com/PTdLkgiznr
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) April 22, 2019
I suppose we could look at this as the officials making some iffy calls and giving the Hurricanes a break, but that might be too charitable for the Caps’ effort. Just like in Games Three and Four, the Caps got profoundly outplayed on the opponent’s ice.
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) April 23, 2019
So once again we’ll pay a visit to our dear friend, Game Seven, with whom our relationship is so close that we now refer to him simply as Gay Sev. It’ll be an elimination game for all three teams: the Carolina Hurricanes and both of the Washington Capitals teams we’ve seen this series. Whether it’s the tenacious, pugnacious, high-scoring Caps we know and love who show up or the meek mice who got whipped all over Raleigh on Monday night will tell us our winner.
