TJ Oshie came up clutch in the second period, scoring twice from close range to give the Washington Capitals an early 2-0 lead.
The goals were Oshie’s second and third of the 2020 playoffs. He also scored during the round-robin.
Goal 1
Oshie’s first goal came after a centering pass by Evgeny Kuznetsov took a fortuitous bounce off an Islanders player’s skate, off the boards, and right to the Osh Babe near the crease. The right-wing took care of the rest, beating Semyon Varlamov on a tight angle.
↙️↗️↘️➡️ Oshie!! pic.twitter.com/m8IbSJQUz1
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 12, 2020
Kuzy couldn’t recreate that pass 100 out of 100 times even if he tried.
Goal 2
Oshie scored again 5:51 later after crashing the crease and finding a loose rebound. He pushed it through Varly’s five-hole.
T.J. Oshie is very good at hockey. pic.twitter.com/t07LExZhCV
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 12, 2020
Carlson registered assists on both goals. They were his 43rd and 44th career postseason assists, tying him with Scott Stevens for the most in franchise history.
John Carlson recorded his second assist of the game on the Capitals' second goal, tying him with Scott Stevens (44) for the most playoff assists by a defenseman in franchise history and the fourth most by any player.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) August 12, 2020
Kuzy is also closing in on Mike Ridley for fifth in franchise history in points.
By gathering an assist on Oshie's goal, Evgeny Kuznetsov is now two points shy of passing Mike Ridley (60) for fifth place in franchise history in playoff points.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) August 12, 2020
Through two periods of play, the Capitals are 2-for-6 on the power play. It already looks much smoother than in the round-robin with John Carlson back. But it’s the team’s tenacious work in front of the net that’s made the biggest difference.
Full RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game One
Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports Washington
