Washington D.C.- Verizon Center- 4/13/2017- Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the #1 Washington Capitals started with a matchup up against #8 Toronto Maple Leafs.  The Caps and Maple Leafs have played three times this year, with the Caps taking the series 2-1. The Capitals are coming off the 2nd straight President’s Cup Trophy-winning season, while the Maple Leafs are making their first playoff appearance in 4 years.

The pace of the game started fierce, with the Caps winning the opening Face-off and Center Nicklaus Backstrom shooting a blazing slapshot at the goal. It did not faze the Maple Leafs as Mitchell Marner scored on a 3 on 2 at the 1:35 mark.

After several minutes of hard fought hockey and fast-paced skating, the Maple Leafs struck again on a goal that was originally reversed for Goalie interference. After reviewing the play, Maple Leaf Kadri was credited with the goal; making it a 2-0 game less than 10 ten minutes in.

At the 11:51 mark the Caps got a break with two Leafs penalties (tripping and interference), giving them two, 2-minute minor power plays. With the 5 on 3, the Caps lacked luster and almost ran out of time on the Power Play. With:27 left, Caps Justin Williams scored, with the assist from Oshie and Shattenkirk, making it 2-1.

The second period started slow; with both teams trading Icing calls for the first five and half minutes. After about eight minutes without a shot on goal, Williams strikes again and ties the game up at 2-2 with 4:00 left in the 2nd period.  With 2:26 left, Leafs Matt Martin was called for a cross-check giving the Capitals their 3rd power play. The Leafs were able to kill the power play and end the 2nd period and go to the 3rd period tied at 2 apiece. At the end of the 2nd period, the shots on goal favored the Maple Leafs 28-25(total 46-44).

The Capitals turned it up in the 3rd period with cleaner passes, and more hits. Washington continued the vigorous attack midway through the period. Several frantic shots on goal by both teams resulted in heavy action.  With seconds left, Caps Captain Ovechkin took the puck deep and shot just after time expired. Neither team could break away and score the winning goal in the 3rd period and they went to sudden-death overtime.

Multiple shots from each side started the overtime period. The Caps had a big chance but Toronto goalie Anderson made several spectacular stops. Right after a line change, Caps Tom Wilson barreled into the zone and scored a spectacular game-winning goal at the 5:15 mark for the Caps to take Game 1.


Game Stats
                                    Capitals       Maple Leafs
Shots on Goals:             44                   37
Power Plays:                 1/3                  0/3
PIM:                                 2                     6
Blocked Shots:               11                   17
Giveaways:                    10                   17
Hits:                                52                   47

 


Game 2 of the Playoffs for the Maple Leafs vs. Capitals is Saturday, April 15, 2017, 7 p.m. at Verizon Center.