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Golden Knights vs. Capitals Game 2: Holtby saves the game for the Caps

By Bruin Belisle

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 30: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals makes a diving stick-save on Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game Two of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on May 30, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 30: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals makes a diving stick-save on Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game Two of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on May 30, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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After an exciting Game 1 win for the Vegas Golden Knights over the Washington Capitals, the Caps look to even the series before heading home to Washington. Here are the highlights, score and more from the game.

942. Final. 3. 19. 2

Game 2 opened at a blistering pace as these two are starting to dislike each other after playing only one game.

James Neal opened the scoring for the Vegas Golden Knights when he tipped a beautiful lob pass ahead of Dmitry Orlov and then rifled it over the Washington Capitals’ Braden Holtby’s glove hand to open the scoring.

Late in the first period, Evgeny Kuznetsov took a hit from Brayden McNabb that left hem awkwardly skating off the ice holding on to his hand. He would not return to the game and the status of his injury is still unknown.

Lars Eller finally beat Marc-André Fleury before the period ended to tie the game at 1-1. Fast, physical hockey from both sides through the first.

Alex Ovechkin opened the second period scoring with his first ever Stanley Cup final goal on a Washington power play. The pass came from Eller, who now has two points on the night. Eller continued his solid play later in the period when he pulled a beautiful pass back to Brooks Orpik who flipped the puck through traffic and by Fleury to make it 3-1 Capitals. It was Orpik’s first goal since February 26, 2016.

With just more than two minutes left in the second period, Shea Theodore brought the Knights back within one when his power play lob shot from the blue line beat a heavily-screened Braden Holtby. The third ended with Eller almost grabbing his third assist of the night on a two-on-one with Jakub Vrana. Vrana beat Fleury but not the post. 3-2 Capitals through two periods.

The Caps killed a 1:09 5-on-3 penalty in the third that saw Holtby face 9 shots through the length of the two penalties. Both goaltenders were perfect in the third but Braden Holtby stole the show with the save of the year. The Capitals accomplish what they came to do and head back to Washington at one game a piece.

Three Stars

3. Brooks Orpik: The guy scored his first goal in 220 games. You have to give him a star! It was also the game winner. Here’s Orpik on media day:

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1002013012193087488

2. Braden Holtby: As expected, Holtby bounced back from his six goals against in Game 1. He made 37 saves in the game and was under heavy fire through the third period Knights power plays. He also did this:

1. Lars Eller: Eller came up huge tonight for the Capitals. He scored the first goal of the game then had beautiful assists on each of the next two. He would have had his third apple in the second period if not for a pesky goal post. Eller did everything he could to make up for the loss of Kuznetsov in this game.

Highlights

Next Game

The Golden Knights travel to Washington for a key Game 3 on Saturday, June 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Next: Every current NHL franchise’s most beloved head coach

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