Despite holding a commanding 2-0 lead headed into the third period, the Caps had every reason to sit back and try to hold back to the win.
Instead the Caps came out with an inspired first shift to start the final stanza, tallying a goal sixteen seconds into the period. Nicklas Backstrom sniped a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury, tallying his team-leading sixth goal of the playoffs.
We are taking Andre Burakovsky out for ice cream after this; he did such a good job.
For his second goal in two games, our nephew Andre Burakovsky made a power move to the net and beat Flower to put the Pens in a two-goal hole. #twogoalhole
By Ian Oland 4 years ago
The Washington Capitals let their first power play fizzle in Game Six, but they weren’t gonna let two pass.
Check out this sequence – maybe the best puck movement Hogwarts has seen these many years.
During Game Five, NBC cameras captured a Penguins fans knitting behind the bench.
Naturally because social media is social media, this became A Thing online. Why would someone spend huge dollars to do cross-stich at a hockey game?
Headed into the third period, the Caps were down 2-1. Their backs were against the wall and facing elimination.
The Caps proceeded to score three unanswered goals to start the stanza, including back-to-back goals from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin 27-seconds apart.
YEAH! The CARDIAC CAPS ARE BACK!
Nicklas Backstrom may live in Alex Ovechkin’s shadow but the Verizon Center spot light was shining bright on him early in the third period.
After taking a slick pass from Andre Burakovsky, the Caps Swede hit the far side of the net, tying Game Five at two goals a piece.
Capitals forward Tom Wilson is throwing his body around during Game Five. Through two periods of play, Wilson has four hits and all of them were teeth-rattlers.
From the third line, Andre Burakovsky has arguably been the Caps best forward in the playoffs, leading the team in shot-attempts percentage (66.02%). Yet he hasn’t been rewarded with a goal during the entire 2017 postseason.
That all changed Saturday night at Verizon Center. Burakovsky, who was promoted earlier in the week to the first line by Barry Trotz, scored late in the first period to tie the game.
It was a HUGE goal.
There are missed calls and then there’s this.
10:58 into the first period, Braden Holtby skated behind the net to stop a Penguins dump in. After leaving the puck for Kevin Shattenkirk, Holtby skated back to the crease. He was tripped by Patric Hornqvist. Blantantly.
Let me say this first: NHL officials don’t have the benefit of instant replay on penalties, and hockey is a fast game. But Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena, the officiating crew blew a crucial third period call that cost the Caps an opportunity to tie the game.
With one minute and fifty-two seconds remaining, Capitals forward TJ Oshie was whistled for a high stick on Nick Bonino.
Except it wasn’t a high stick.
