The Washington Capitals have kicked off the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the win column. It sure wasn’t an easy one but the boys powered through adversity for the millionth time this season to Earn (capitalized for effect) a 3-2 overtime victory. Game. On.
The Caps outshot the Bruins 32 to 26 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 55 to 52.
By Chris Cerullo 5 months ago
If the Washington Capitals have been defined by anything this season, it’s that players across the roster have stepped up during crucial times. The Capitals got another one of those season-defining performances in Game One of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
In the first period, Vitek Vanecek left the game due to a lower-body injury, forcing 39-year-old Craig Anderson into action. The Capitals’ third goalie was solid in relief, stopping 21 of 22 shots faced to earn his 24th career playoff win.
Anderson also accomplished a bit of rare history in the process.
By Ian Oland 5 months ago
Nic Dowd managed to have a career year during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 regular season. Now he’s picking up where he left off in the playoffs.
Dowd, affectionally named Judy for his love of the reality court show Judge Judy, scored his first career playoff overtime goal, giving the Capitals an unlikely 3-2 victory in Game One.
The Capitals lost Vitek Vanecek in the first period due to injury and got a solid effort from third-string goaltender Craig Anderson.
By Ian Oland 5 months ago
The Washington Capitals won Game One, but the Boston Bruins didn’t make it easy. For example, there was this one part where Boston defender Jeremy Lauzon put a legit falcon punch on TJ Oshie.
Lauzon was assessed a major pen— wait, what’s that? Okay, I’m being told there was not even a whistle on the play. Wow. That’s weird.
By Peter Hassett 5 months ago
The playoffs began as the playoffs were destined to begin: with a goal by North America’s sweetheart, Tom Wilson. Jake DeBrusk returned fire for Boston, with Vitek Vanecek injuring himself on the play.
Brenden Dillon scored in the second period with Alex Ovechkin running flak in front of Boston goalie Tuukka Rask. Nick Ritchie restored the tie on a power play before the second intermission.
An intense third period gave us no goals, which meant playoff overtime!
why watch overtime playoff hockey when you can simply snort cocaine and ride a motorcycle out of a helicopter
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) April 17, 2014
Nic Dowd won it early in overtime, tipping in TJ Oshie’s shot! Caps win!
Caps lead the series 1-0.
By Peter Hassett 5 months ago
The Washington Capitals lost starting goaltender Vitek Vanecek to injury early during the first period of Game One. But help might (?) be on the way.
Saturday afternoon, Ilya Samsonov was removed from the NHL’s COVID-19 Unavailability List.
By Ian Oland 5 months ago
Vitek Vanecek made his first NHL postseason start on Saturday. It didn’t last long.
Vanecek left Game One in the first period after an apparent lower-body injury.
Now in net: 39-year-old Craig Anderson. He turns 40 next week.
By Ian Oland 5 months ago
This is your open thread to discuss Game One between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. Have at it below.
By Peter Hassett 5 months ago
Based on Saturday’s morning skate, the Washington Capitals look ready to go for their postseason kickoff tonight — with one major exception.
Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov were the team’s only absences.
By Peter Hassett 5 months ago
