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The Washington Capitals played Sunday’s Game 3 against the New York Islanders in desperation, which isn’t necessarily the same as playing well.
Anders Lee brought the Islanders in first with some tenacity, but the Caps responded in the second when Kuznetsov lost a snipe from Backstrom’s power play spot. Braden Holtby turned the lights off to keep the Caps alive in overtime, but Matt Barzal won in overtime.
The caps lose. The Islands lead the series 3-0.
- Sunday marked the debut of the NHL Brian Pinho. Replacing Travis Boyd, he was fine. But it was not the hard-hitting upheaval we were promised. More on that in a moment.
- It was a very bad first half. As bad as any period, the Caps have played this playoffs. During the 5v5 game, the Isles generated 93% of the expected goals for the 7 of the Caps. The Caps committed three penalties, and honestly, they played better during the PK than evenly matched. One call in particular:
Evgeny Kuznetsov: 5:18 5v5 YOU, 0 / -8 CF, 0 / -7 shots, 0 / -1 goals, 0 / -6 SCF, 0 / -5 HDCF
– Chris Cerullo (@ CJC_95) Aug 16, 2020
Kuzy’s stick blade appears to have a black groove or ribbon for added feel. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/Lv7ARQ08rl
– Ian Oland (@ianoland) Aug 16, 2020
- Still, the top line as it is currently constructed (Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson) doesn’t pose much of a threat during the 5v5 game. They were paired up quite aggressively, but he funly named Pelech / Pulock D-pair and dragged the four lines as far as they led to the game. I prefer to see Ovi with Eller and Kuznetsov with Oshie.
- The Caps PK remains good. But also busy. I prefer them to be just correct and rarely used.
- Braden Holtby, which you probably wanted to bench, set up a .968 during settlement stopping 30 of 31 shots. The team needed a performance like this, and Holtby delivered it. The team wasted it.
- Looking back, I really wish Jakub vrana scored on his chance in overtime.
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsIsles A shiny white suit for the third game! pic.twitter.com/ThZqXfb9g7
– Ian Oland (@ianoland) Aug 16, 2020
I do not understand. The Caps had every reason to enter Sunday’s game with conviction. And, sure enough, they finally started to look good, but their inability to put together a solid hour of competent play is why they’re now in a 3-0 hole that they probably can’t squeeze into. ‘escape, and this is also the reason why this version of the team cannot be allowed to survive into the next season.
Welp. See you on Tuesday.
Full RMNB coverage of WSH / NYI Game 3
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