The Washington Capitals lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 3-2 (OT). The Capitals were NOT the better team last night yet still found themselves up 2-1 late in the third period. Up late in the third, the Caps missed a couple breakaways and an empty net to seal the game and steal one away from Florida. The Caps failed to take advantage of those opportunities and eventually Florida made them pay. This loss stings solely because it was a massive missed opportunity to go up 3-1. If you were to play out that exact scenario again last night when Florida pulled Bob, the Caps probably win that game and that scenario 9/10 times. Again, I cant take it super personally because Florida did deserve to win this game. The series is now 2-2 heading back to Florida. Lets go!
Here are the stats from the game:
Shots on Goal:
WSH – 16
FLA – 32
Shots on Goal (5v5):
WSH – 10
FLA – 20
Corsi For %:
WSH – 33.64%
FLA – 66.36%
Corsi For % (5v5):
WSH – 35.53%
FLA – 64.27%
Power Play:
WSH – 1/5
FLA – 0/4
Hits:
WSH – 44
FLA – 59
Blocks:
WSH – 56
FLA – 46
Scoring Chances For:
WSH – 17
FLA – 33
Scoring Chances For (5v5):
WSH – 14
FLA – 21
High Danger Chances For:
WSH– 10
FLA – 14
High Danger Chances For (5v5):
WSH – 8
FLA – 7
xGF:
WSH – 2.19
FLA – 3.46
xGF (5v5):
WSH – 0.90
FLA – 1.77
My Takeaways:
Second Period Penalties - The second period was littered with minor penalties. In fact there were six total, three on each team. Neither team was able to score on the power play in the second period and I thought for the Caps particularly, they really struggled this period with the extra man. All these penalties just really screwed with the 5-on-5 flow. The Caps struggled to get the puck into the zone and sustain long periods of possession time and quality shots when they had the extra man. The Caps even had a 5-on-3 for about 0:43 seconds and couldn't even get the puck in the zone. Embarrassing. Laviolette could have used a timeout there to give his top line rest but he chose not to. The result was a slow and otherwise meaningless 5-on-3. The Capitals struggled to get into a rhythm this period. They only generated 4 shots on goal, two scoring chances, and 2 high danger chances.
The Penalty Kill - The PK did its job again and shut out the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are now 0/13 in the series on the power play. Florida was trying anything and everything last night on the power play to no avail. I will give the Panthers credit, they looked really good on the power play. They may have not scored but they were getting tons of looks and finding guys in open space. It is only a matter of time before FLA finds the back of the net. Until then, we will keep celebrating this PK as ELITE!
Sergei Bobrovsky - Bob had a really nice bounce back game for the Panthers. The Caps didn't generate much last night but of their 16 shots, 8 of them were considered high danger chances. Bob stopped multiple breakaways last night and single-handedly kept the Panthers in this game. Without Bob, this series is 3-1 Caps. I would go as far to say that without Bob, the Caps likely would have swept this series by now. The game two score may not look like it, but the Caps should have been up a quick three goals in that game if it weren't for Bob.
Evgeny Kuznetsov - Kuzy came up clutch with a goal midway through the third period. TJ Oshie crushed Bennett with a huge hit and that sprung the Caps open in the opposite direction. Kuzy had a beautiful finish and was able to wait out Bob and roof it over him. Kuzy seems to be the only Cap that can score on breakaways this series. Some are calling for Oshie to be suspended for the hit to Sam Bennetts head. The hit was looked a tad high through the neck area but it didn't look intentional to the head at all. Oshie stayed on his same line the entire time and when Bennett curled left into his line, Oshie slightly lifts and tightens his shoulder to his body to brace for impact. He did not extend upward or forward, he just hit him. I am not expecting him to get suspended but if he does, I am sure the league will point out exactly why. IF the Caps lose Oshie, it will be a steep hill to climb with Tom Wilson already sidelined. We will cross this bridge for debate and analysis when we get there. What do you all think? Here is the hit in slow mo and a poll:
Honorable Mention - Ilya Samsonov played fantastic again. Game three was not a blip and Samsonov seems to be heating up at the right time. Words can not express just how massive this is for the Caps if he can keep this up.
Final Thoughts -The Caps need to be ready to go for game five. This Florida comeback could be a series changer. Up until last night, the Caps have looked like the better of team in the series by far. The Panthers were the better team last night and this come from behind win has to be huge for their confidence. I expect an all-out assault from the Panthers in game five. The Caps better be ready!
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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