Alex Ovechkin is one of the greatest players of all time, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a high-level troll to his teammates sometimes.
Sunday during warmups, Jakub Vrana was minding his own business and doing a stick-handling drill by himself in the corner.
And then, Ovechkin struck.
Radko Gudas, the Capitals’ de facto seventh defenseman, was scratched on Sunday after commiting a defensive-zone turnover that led to a goal against the Flyers. Into the lineup came 20-year-old defenseman Martin Fehevary who made his NHL postseason debut against the Boston Bruins.
Fehervary showed poise and moved the puck well throughout the game, generating a 54.6 shot-attempt percentage at five-on-five – one of only four Capitals players to tilt the ice in favor of Washington per Natural Stat Trick. Feheravary also posted a game-high seven hits in 15:13 of ice time.
“He was really good,” Tom Wilson said after the game.
Before the playoffs began, David Pastrnak called Tom Wilson the best dang goalscorer in the league. So naturally, when the Capitals and Bruins faced off against each other, it was Wilson who got the best of Pasta.
Wilson scored the game-winning goal 2:32 into the third period to lead the Capitals to a 2-1 victory.
The Washington Capitals eked out a win against the Boston Bruins on Sunday meaning they are the number three seed in the East and will match up with the sixth-seeded New York Islanders in the first round of the 2020 Playoffs. This will mark the Capitals’ first playoff series against their former Stanley Cup-winning bench boss, Barry Trotz.
The Islanders recently won their best-of-five Qualifying Round series against the Florida Panthers, three games to one. The Islanders outscored the Panthers 13-7 during the series and got great goaltending from former Capital Semyon Varlamov.
By Ian Oland 3 years ago
Round-robin hockey is finally over, and thank goodness. This just isn’t good hockey. Anyway, the Caps beat the Bruins, so now the real hockey can begin.
The Caps got roundly dominated in the first period but emerged with a lead anyway, thanks to TJ Oshie’s tenacity down low against Zdeno Chara. The second period was scoreless, but Tom Wilson had a heap of hustle to beat Charlie McAvoy and make it 2-0 early in the third. Jake DeBrusk made a nice move on a broken play to get the Bruins on the board with ten minutes left, but that was it.
Caps win.
By Peter Hassett 3 years ago
Nicklas Backstrom is a game-time decision today, and that decision is “go for it.”
Meanwhile, Radko Gudas will take a seat as Martin Fehervary gets some ice time.
By Peter Hassett 3 years ago
Full disclosure: I’m getting tired of these round-robin games. I’m ready for them to really count. I also don’t like losing. Luckily, this is the final one. The Capitals will face off against the Bruins this afternoon in a match that will decide who they will be playing in the first round of the playoffs. Will it be the New York Islanders or the Carolina Hurricanes?
Personally, I don’t want the Capitals to play either, those options do not sound fun to me. But, no matter who the opponent is, it’ll be an absolute pleasure to watch the first round with all of you. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. Let’s do this.
The puck drops at 12 PM, and, yes you guessed it, Peter will put the cherry on top of your afternoon with a recap.
By Elyse Bailey 3 years ago
The Washington Capitals will once again be without their Norris finalist today, according to Caps head coach Todd Reirden. Defender John Carlson will not play in today’s round-robin game against the Boston Bruins.
Forward Nicklas Backstrom will be a game-time decision.
By Peter Hassett 3 years ago
