The Capitals entered the game vs. the Maple Leafs with first place looming in the back of their heads. They did not know that by the end of the night they would gain first in the east and clinch the Southeast division title. This makes it four years in a row that the Capitals are champions of the Southeast. It is getting a little old, but I will definitely take a top three spot in the playoffs.
Toronto is already out of the playoff race so they had one thing in mind, and that was to spoil the Caps’ standings situation. Nikolai Kulemin started the attempt of spoiler on the extra man when he beat Michal Neuvirth with a wrist shot. Six minutes later the Capitals were on a 5 on 3 power play for 20 seconds. Alex Ovechkin didn’t waste any time logging his 300th career goal off a onetime slapper from a Brooks Laich pass. Ovi had numerous scoring chances that were robbed by goaltender James Reimer in this game.
One thing that I would like to take note on was the Caps power play last night where they had a 1 for 4 success rate. In each extra man opportunity Washington moved the puck well and had many good scoring chances. If it were not for Reimer making some miraculous saves, the Caps could’ve notched a few more PP goals.
In the second period, Joffrey Lupul made Jeff Schultz pay with a back door tip-in goal from Phil Kessel. It was simply a breakdown of the Caps’ defense and could’ve been avoided if Schultz had picked his head up. The Caps would not hesitate to answer back with a bizarre goal from John Erskine which tied it 2-2. He hit a slap shot that deflected off a Toronto defender for Erskine’s fourth goal of the season. That would be the last goal of the game and Washington would go to a familiar fourth straight over time game.
There were only two total shots stopped by the goaltenders in extra time. Michal Neuvirth played well stopping 18 of 20 shots and all of the shootout attempts. Mike Knuble would be the only one to tickle the twine in the shootout in the fourth round. He continues to be a force for the Caps this late in the season. After this 3-2 SO win the Capitals headed straight home for a home game vs. the Florida Panthers tonight. Tune in to watch the puck drop at 7. Rock the Red!
Player of the Game: Alex Ovechkin (1 goal)
Stat of the Game: 300th career goal (Alex Ovechkin)
Unsung Hero: Mike Knuble
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