Capitals vs. Blue Jackets: Prediction for a massive Game 5
The Capitals won both games on the road in Columbus tie this series at two, but who can put themselves into position to win the series with a win in Game 5?
This first round series between the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals and wild card Columbus Blue Jackets has stolen the show as the series to watch, but now is when the real fun begins with the series even at two games apiece.
Game 4 was the first game of the series where the best team not only won, but in convincing fashion. Washington defeated Columbus 4-1 on the back of another spectacular performance from Braden Holtby and a backbreaking goal 3-0 from Alex Ovechkin early in the third to even their series at 2-2 after dropping the first two games on home ice.
Ovechkin delivered big time on his promise to even the series heading back home. The Capitals put on what might’ve been their most complete playoff performance in the last two years, along with Ovechkin recording consecutive multi-point games. Holtby was magnificent once again by shutting down the Blue Jackets when they needed a goal most, and the Capitals might have found a way to shut the Blue Jackets down with a neutral zone trap. This is what happens when Washington finally stops shooting themselves in the foot, and momentum is theirs to lose now.
The Blue Jackets are obviously frustrated that they couldn’t get anything on home ice after taking the first two games in Washington, but they vent that frustration on the ice with a bounce back performance in Game 5. In the words of head coach John Tortorella, Columbus “laid an egg” in Game 4, but they’ve shown they are capable of much more in this series. Dropping three straight games in the playoffs would be devastating, and Artemi Panarin and crew need to find a way to crack Holtby for a chance to close out this series on home ice.
It’s the Capitals momentum vs. the Blue Jackets frustration. Both have proven to be effective motivators in the postseason, so expect a slugfest in Game 5. The Capitals cannot let off the pressure, or all the word they did tying this series will be for nothing, and they’ll need another win on the road to keep themselves alive. The Blue Jackets need to find a way to crack Holtby, or another devastating loss is inbound.
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Game 5 will be a goaltending duel between Holtby and Sergei Bobrovsky. The two surrender one each early on in the game, but hold the fort for almost the entire game. Chandler Stephenson has been underrated not just in this series, but the entire season, and he’ll break through with his first Stanley Cup Playoff goal late third period goal to give the Capitals their first lead of the series and a chance to close out this series on Monday in Columbus.
Game 5 Prediction: Capitals Defeat Blue Jackets 2-1