Caps vs Flyers

In the Playoffs, Blocked Shots and Net Crashing Create Havoc for Goaltenders

Photo: Patrick Smith

This season, the Washington Capitals blocked just under 1,000 shots in 82 regular-season games. That averages out to about a dozen a game. In Game One of the first round against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, the Caps got in the way of 23 shots. The usual suspects of John Carlson, Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner did much of the work. But so did skill players like Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

“Not even pain,” Kuznetsov said when a reporter asked him about a key shot he absorbed. ”I fake it.”

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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One Day After Getting Benched in Game One, Nate Schmidt is All Smiles

Photo: Patrick Smith

Wednesday morning, Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner was asked about the defensive pairing of Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov. They were both set to make their NHL playoff debuts in Game One of the first round against the Philadelphia Flyers. He paused halfway through his answer.

“You know, I’m just thinking, laughing in my head about Schmitty,” Alzner said. “He’s always so excited for a regular season game, I can’t imagine what he’s gonna be like for a playoff game. It’ll be fun.”

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Tom Wilson’s Board Goads Wayne Simmonds Into Fight, Barry Trotz Considers Hit Unnecessary

Photo: Patrick Smith

Tom Wilson almost made it through a Caps-Flyers game without getting involved in something foolish. But with six minutes and 51 seconds left in a one goal playoff hockey game, Wilson decided to board defenseman Andrew McDonald. It was an obvious penalty.

Thankfully for Wilson, Wayne Simmonds, who led the Flyers in regular season goals (32), decided a late game comeback push was the perfect time to retaliate. Simmonds took a roughing penalty before he and Wilson decided to punch each other in the face, negating any advantage for Philly when they needed it most.

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Sweet Fifteen: Caps Blank Flyers 2-0 in Game One

Just before four AM this morning, I pulled myself from bed, took my medication, and crawled back upstairs. But I never went back to sleep. Playoff hockey is here. Time to grab the wine. Things are about to get real.

After a sluggish start, John Carlson opened the scoring with a blast from the point. Naturally, there were 38 minutes of penalties, but skill won out in the end — especially after Jay Beagle’s late third-period insurance goal. Caps blank Flyers 2-0! One-nil series lead.

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Brooks Orpik Loses a Tooth After High Stick, Doesn’t Miss a Shift

He looks like Ovi now.

Brooks Orpik took two penalties in the first period of game, drawing the ire of some fans for his infractions. The Caps killed those penalties ably, and then Orpik redeemed himself in the third by drawing a double minor.

And all it cost him is a tooth.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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John Carlson Scores the Caps First Goal of the Postseason, Which Makes Alex Ovechkin Pumped

The Caps let two power plays go by with no goals but a bunch of chances. Finally in the second, they broke through.

The Caps rode a wave of momentum after Alex Ovechkin nailed Sean Couturier with a big hit at center ice. Five minutes later, with Brandon Manning in the box for delay of game, John Carlson converted the PP and scored Washington’s first goal of the playoffs.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin Injures Sean Couturier After Big Hit at Center Ice

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has gone 30 minutes without a goal, so obviously he’s cranky. In the second, period, Ovi took that crankiness out on Philadelphia forward Sean Couturier.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov Really Wants to Win This Faceoff

After a slow end to the regular season, Evgeny Kuznetsov was hyped for Game One. Kuzy had some of the Capitals’ best scoring chances in the first period. Then there was this faceoff with Claude Giroux.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Photo: @loshie17

After suffering a minor injury during practice Wednesday, TJ Oshie’s status was unknown heading into Game One. But not only did Oshie take pre-game warm-ups, he made time to say hi to his tiny daughter Lyla, who was standing by the glass.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Round 1, Game 1 Live Blog: Caps vs Flyers

Photo: Patrick Smith

Gulp.

Today’s the day. The spotlight is on, the bandwagon is full and I already feel like I’m going to throw up. We’re at home for Game One and Game Two and anything but a 2-0 start is going to be a tough pill to swallow for this team.

The Flyers of course want to throw this entire area into a chaotic mess. Claude Giroux and the boys come into Washington looking to steal a game before they head back to Philadelphia. Say your prayers, wear your lucky socks, grab a seat and be ready to get on a ride that will only end two ways.

First liveblog of the playoffs below.

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By Chris Cerullo 7 years ago

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