Washington Capitals Eliminate Philadelphia Flyers, Will Meet Pittsburgh Penguins in Second Round
Washington Capitals Defeat Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 in Game 6, Will Face-Off Against Pittsburgh Penguins in Next Chapter of Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby
Washington Capitals walked into Sunday’s game having dropped the previous two opportunities to eliminate the Philadelphia Flyers.
Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth had almost single-handedly stole game’s four/five for Philadelphia, and nearly did the same on Sunday. Unfortunately, the team in front of him was unable provide any goal support, helping propel the Presidents’ Trophy winning Washington Capitals to a 1-0 victory in game six.
via Sportsnet,
Riding the momentum of Michal Neuvirth in net, the Flyers won two straight to force an unlikely trip home. Neuvirth was sensational again, but the Flyers were ultimately doomed by a power play that could not cash in against Holtby. The Flyers wasted nearly 2 minutes of a 5-on-3 power play in the second period that made a critical difference.
Holtby, who had a 19-save shutout in Game 1, was barely tested with solid shots the last two games. The Flyers took only 11 shots against him in Game 5 and matched that feeble total midway through the second period. Most of their shots Sunday came from long range, and the Flyers never really attacked Holtby.
via NHL.com,
“The 5-on-3 today, if we don’t get through that, this building probably explodes,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “We were able to get through that. Once we got through that I felt like we were going to find a way to win the hockey game.”
As Flyers fans look back on Sunday’s game, all fingers will be pointed to the above situation. A two-man advantage is a golden opportunity in hockey, especially for a team struggling to score goals. Imagine the momentum shift had Philly been able to capitalize.
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Heading into the second round, Washington Capitals will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins in another battle of Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh defeated New York (Rangers) in five games during their opening round series.
On one side, we’ve got likely Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby with the NHL’s best team in 2015-16 in front of him. On the other, we’ve got a rookie netminder in Matt Murray who’s stealing the spotlight in a quest to become the next Cam Ward (rookie Conn Smythe winner) playing for the league’s hottest team over the past two months.
via NHL.com,
The Capitals and Penguins will meet in the playoffs for the ninth time. The Penguins have won seven of the eight series.
Washington and Pittsburgh met in the postseason five times in six seasons from 1991-96; the Capitals’ only series win came in 1994, when they defeated Pittsburgh in six games in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Penguins also defeated the Capitals in the Conference Quarterfinals in 2000 and 2001.
The Penguins, who advanced to the second round after defeating the New York Rangers in five games, won three of the five games against the Capitals during the regular season. Ovechkin had no points; Crosby had a goal and three assists.
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After a career-worst slow-start in 2015-16, Sidney Crosby pulled things together, finishing the season with 36 goals, 49 assists (85 points) which should garner some interest in Hart Trophy voting. In five games against New York, Crosby scored three goals, with five helpers (eight points).
It was a bit of the opposite for Alex Ovechkin (whose name was largely included in the Hart Trophy mix for much of the season), as he saw his production slow over the second half. He still managed to reach 50 goals en route to yet another Maurice Rocket Richard trophy, but only had 21 assists for a total 71 points. He was out-produced by fellow Russian Evgeny Kuznetsov (77 points). In six games versus Philadelphia, Ovie had three goals, two assists (five points).
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Only two second round match-up’s are set (both in the East). Regardless of who Dallas or San Jose draw, this Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins meeting promises to be the series to watch in the next round. The winner of this series likely clears a path for themselves to the Stanley Cup Final.