Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017: Marcus Johansson puts Capitals in second round (Video)

The Washington Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. Marcus Johansson’s overtime winning goal is a huge reason why. 

The Washington Capitals played five overtime games in their first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Naturally, the series ended on an overtime-winning goal.

Game 5 saw an overtime winner by Justin Williams. This time around, second line wing Marcus Johansson played the hero. Not only did he get the game-tying goal in the third period, he got the game-winner as well.

The Caps move on to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. This is a rematch from last year, when the Pens beat Washington in six games en route to winning their fourth Stanley Cup. Washington will be looking to get revenge after last season’s series. This should be an excellent series.

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Johansson is coming off one of his best seasons of his career. He set career highs in 24 goals and 58 points. It’s Johansson’s first 20-goal season and his first 50-point season. The Capitals got more than they expected from the Maple Leafs.

However, they pulled out on top thanks to some clutch goals. Johansson’s goal might be the most clutch of them all. The series between the Capitals and Penguins is expected to start on Thursday. For the third time in their career, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will square off in the postseason.

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In the second round, the Caps will need more goals from Johansson and their guys. They’ll have to rely on their offense to get by the Penguins.