Capitals blank Lightning to force Game 7: 3 takeaways
Takeaways from the Washington Capitals coming up with a shutout in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Washington Capitals were able to fend off elimination with a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6.
With their season on the line, the Capitals came out with the same pressure and intensity they finished Game 5 with. Shots were only 8-6 in favor of Washington in the first period, but it controlled the majority of play. To Tampa Bay’s credit, it limited high quality scoring chances.
Washington finally broke through in the second period thanks to a power-play goal by T.J. Oshie. Nicklas Backstrom looked off multiple defenders to find Oshie in the slot. He quickly whipped the puck past Andrei Vasilevskiy to make it 1-0. The Capitals dominated the majority of the second period, even killing off a Tampa Bay power play.
The Lightning, not wanting to go back to Tampa for Game 7, came out strong in the third period. But a hustle play Chandler Stephenson led to a goal by Devante Smith-Pelly midway through the period. Smith-Pelly started the play with a flip ahead that looked long enough for icing. However, the speed of Stephenson negated the call. He pushed the puck to Jay Beagle, who backhanded it back to Stephenson behind the net. It was fed out front to a streaking Smith-Pelly for the one-timer goal.
Tampa Bay had an immediate chance to answer with a power play, but Washington ended up with the better chances despite being down a man. Oshie added an empty netter to send put things away.
3 Takeaways
Braden Holtby responds
I didn’t like Holtby’s body language early in the game. He seemed to be fighting the puck and was losing sight of it. Tampa Bay had a glorious scoring chance early in the first period when Holtby failed to locate the puck behind the net, but the defense bailed him out. That was the story of the first period for Holtby. He fought off the initial chance and the defense cleared away any potential trouble.
To his credit, he settled down in a big way. It seemed to start on the first Tampa Bay power play, where he made a nice save on Steven Stamkos. He got over in time to deny Stamkos from his favorite spot, making the save look easy. He was at his best in the third period. His glove save to rob Ondrej Palat seven minutes into the period was a game changer.
He hasn’t been great in the last three games, but his struggles have been overstated due to the brilliance of Vasilevskiy. In Game 6, Holtby was masterful.
Alex Ovechkin leads the charge
Ovechkin didn’t record a point in Game 6, but he was feeling it early. He nearly broke in alone early in the first after a nice move off the rush, but Dan Girardi recovered in time to knock it away. It was a hit by Giradi, which may or may not have been interference depending on who you root for, that woke up the Caps captain even further. After that, he started laying into Tampa players, setting the tone for his team.
Washington will typically go as Ovechkin goes. When he’s skating hard and sacrificing himself, while still playing disciplined hockey, they’ll follow suit. They did that in Game 6. Once again, Washington out-skated and out-worked Tampa Bay.
For the majority of the series, this effort has been there for Ovechkin. The lone exceptions would be Game 3 and the first half of Game 5. The only difference between Monday night and those two were pucks finally getting past Vasilevskiy.
A huge stick tap to Chandler Stephenson for his hustle play on the Caps second goal. He doesn’t do that without Ovechkin’s leadership. Okay, he probably does.
Special teams the difference
The Capitals have had one power play in the last two games. They scored on it. The refs have swallowed their whistles in the last two games, which benefits Washington give how good the Lightning have been with the man advantage. Of course, when they have called a penalty, it’s been a Capital heading in for punishment.
Tampa Bay had two opportunities with the extra attacker in Game 6. Washington did a great job on both kills in limited dangerous chances. The second penalty kill in particular was a momentum killer for the road team. A goal there and it’s a one goal game with over seven minutes remaining and momentum on your side. Not only did Washington kill it off, they created the better chances.
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The Lightning never recovered from that failed power play. If the referees are going to continue to let things slide, each chance with a man advantage becomes even more crucial and could be the deciding factor on Wednesday.
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