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Capitals rob Golden Knights of victory in Game 2: 3 takeaways

By Jeremy Lambert

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 Ethan Miller/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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Braden Holtby steals Game 2 for the Washington Capitals to even the Stanley Cup Final at one apiece with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Washington Capitals did what looked to be impossible, beating the Vegas Golden Knights at home and in regulation.

Game 2 picked up right where Game 1 left off. The intensity was palpable from the start. Like they’ve done all playoffs at home, Vegas opened the scoring. James Neal deflected a puck to himself at the blueline, walked in on Braden Holtby, and wiredthe puck past Holtby’s glove. Lars Eller tied the game at 1, depositing the puck into an empty net following a beautiful pass by Michal Kempny.

Alex Ovechkin quieted the crowd with a power play goal five minutes into the second period. Brooks Orpik scored his first goal since before the Golden Knights were a twinkle in Bill Foley’s eye to give Washington a 3-1 lead. Shea Theodore cut the lead to 3-2 with a seeing eye shot on the power play.

The Capitals survived a 5-on-3 onslaught and one final push in the third to steal home ice from Vegas.

3 Takeaways

3. Special teams/ref involvement

The refs let them play in Game 1. Ryan Reaves got away with a cross check that immediately led to the game-tying goal in the third period. Each team was afforded one power play in Game 1, with the Knights cashing in.

After the complaints about Reaves’ cross check, Tom Wilson’s hit on Jonathan Marchessault, and the 292 other non-calls pointed out by Twitter, the refs took action in Game 2. Vegas had five power plays, including a lengthy 5-on-3 early in the third period. The Capitals had two power plays, scoring on one, and adding another goal during 4-on-4 play.

The Capitals penalty kill proved to be the difference maker. The 5-on-3, in which the Knights got nine shots on goal, was the biggest moment of the game for both teams. The Capitals managed to kill it off and hold on for the victory. If Vegas scores, they have all the momentum heading into the final 15 minutes.

2. Physical play

The hits in Game 1 were 38-25 in favor of the Capitals. The hits in Game 2 were 45-39 for Washington.

This style of play doesn’t favor one team or the other. Washington is first in the playoffs in hits. Vegas is second. In the regular season, the Capitals were 14th. The Knights were 15th. Both teams can give as well as they receive. The extra hitting means more penalties and out-of-positioning play. The Knights gave up far too many odd man rushes and were lucky Washington could not capitalize.

Unfortunately, the extra hitting led to Evgeny Kuznetsov leaving the game in the first period. Brayden McNabb’s history speaks for itself. McNabb got his elbow up into the Washington forward, but the actual injury came with his body slamming Kuznetsov’s arm into the glass.

The fact that Washington was able to pull this game off without its second best forward speaks to the mental toughness of their club.

As is typical in the early games with this much hitting, there was a dust up as the final horn went. I’m sure the Vegas players were just helping them plan their night on the town.

1. Braden Holtby’s save

It’s impossible to talk about this game without mentioning Holtby’s save. I don’t even have to say which one. I typed “Holtby’s save” and your brain already has the GIF embedded into your memory.

After facing 10 shots in the first three minutes of the third period, the Caps netminder stood around for roughly 14 minutes as the defense in front of him tightened up.

A harmless looking dump in jumped in front of Holtby and right to the stick of Cody Eakin. He threw it across to Alex Tuch, who threw it right into the wide open net. Well, he thought he was throwing it into an empty net. Instead, it ended up going right into the stick of Holtby, who made a desperation lunge with his stick on the ice to keep the puck out of the net.

If the Capitals win this series, that save will be immortalized. As it should be.

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