The Washington Capitals dropped Game Three in a bad way, but that was — (checks watch) — six weeks ago. They say you’re not in trouble until you lose at home, so let’s watch the Caps get the Canes in trouble.
This is an open thread for reactions, rage, and revelry. Be safe.
By Peter Hassett 2 days ago
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ season is over. Known Penguin slayer, the orca of the Eastern Conference, Barry Trotz coached his New York Islanders to a four-game sweep. The Isles won Game Four 3-1.
This will be the first loffs since 2015-16 that the Capitals and Penguins will not meet.
By Peter Hassett 3 days ago
The Tampa Bay Lightning won 62 games this season, more than anyone in the history of ever. But as the regular season ended and the irregular loffs began, the Bolts found themselves outmatched by the eighth-seeded Columbus Blue Jackets.
In one of the biggest upsets in NHL playoffs history, the Blue Jackets just eliminated the Lightning, knocking the Presidents’ Trophy winners out in the first round.
By Peter Hassett 3 days ago
The Washington Capitals got whipped something mighty by the Carolina Hurricanes. The first postseason game Raleigh has seen in a decade was a one-sided beatdown, though maybe that’s not a good choice of words.
Warren Foegele gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the series with a slow-dribbler, the lone goal of the first period. He struck again in the second period as a Final Destination-quality series of mishaps befell Caps defenders. Dougie Hamilton’s power-play point shot gave the Canes a three-goal lead, which he added to with another goal in the third period. Things got goofier in the third period, and Brock McGinn made it a fiver.
Canes beat Caps 5-0. Caps lead the series 2-1.
By Peter Hassett 4 days ago
The Caps are on the road and up in the series, two games to none. But everything changes now that the game’s in Raleigh. Keep an eye on match-ups tonight.
This is an open thread for reactions, rage, and revelry. Have fun.
By Peter Hassett 5 days ago
Isabelle Khurshudyan has been covering the Capitals for the Washington Post for several years now, but we’ve never actually spoken. Until now. After Brooks Orpik scored the OTGWG in Game Two, Peter and Izzy finally got together to discuss Caps vs Canes, why everyone loves Orpik, how Todd Reirden is different from Barry Trotz. And then, at the end, we talked about Game of Thrones or a long while. Enjoy!
By Peter Hassett 5 days ago
After Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders on home ice, the Pittsburgh Penguins are one loss away from first-round elimination.
We made it all the way until now before writing about this. Aren’t you proud of us?
By Peter Hassett 6 days ago
Toronto forward Nazem Kadri had a busy Saturday night. He got in a fight, scored a goal, suffered what appeared to be a devastating injury, made a sudden recovery, and committed a high-sticking penalty that will certainly earn him a suspension.
It will be Kadri’s second playoff suspension in as many years.
By Peter Hassett 6 days ago
A late surprise for the Boston Bruins as they prepare for Game Two against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Deadline-pickup and ex-Caps forward Marcus Johansson is missing from the lineup.
According to the Bruins, Johansson is sick.
By Peter Hassett 7 days ago
The Washington Capitals have taken a 2-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes with a big overtime win in a wild game on a lovely Saturday afternoon.
Once again, goal scoring started off the stick of Nicklas Backstrom, who got a tasty feed from Ovechkin on a rush attack. TJ Oshie made it 2-0 with another rush goal and some terrific puck movement with him, Kuznetsov, and Niskanen. Lucas Wallmark got a weird one later in the period that Washington unsuccessfully challenged for goalie interference.
A chaotic second period found the Hurricanes tying the game with an odd goal from Sebastian Aho, taking a rebound off the boards and net-back to beat Holtby along the post.
Tom Wilson got wristshot past Mrazek halfway through the third period, restoring Washington’s lead. Dougie Hamilton scored with a nifty wristshot on the power play with five minutes remaining to tie the score again. That took us to sudden-victory overtime, where two-time Stanley Cup champion was the hero!
Caps win 4-3. Caps lead the series 2-0.
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By Peter Hassett 7 days ago
