Marcus Boutilier: Caps Up 2-0 Head into Hurricane Country - Game 3 Washington Capitals have reversed last years start to the playoffs and Backstrom is hot.

Caps need to play better. For the most part, Canes have carried the play 5v5. A decent amount of that is score effect, as the Caps have lead early in both games, but the underlying numbers are heavily skewed towards the Canes, except for the Dowd line. Caps need to come out strong like they did at the start of the 2nd period last game and get the first goal. Canes will be flying.

It's a beautiful day for tailgating in North Carolina. Tailgating started early and crowd is appropriately or inappropriately lubricated for the game depending how you want to look at it. This is going to be loud and fun. Go Canes!

Caps need to play better. For the most part, Canes have carried the play 5v5. A decent amount of that is score effect, as the Caps have lead early in both games, but the underlying numbers are heavily skewed towards the Canes, except for the Dowd line. Caps need to come out strong like they did at the start of the 2nd period last game and get the first goal. Canes will be flying.
- Blackstrom2

This is effectively the same game they played early in the last year's playoffs. Hopefully they will turn it up a notch soon.

Canes down to 10 forwards for rest of game. Both Ferland and Svechnikov out for the rest of game. Dumb for Svechnikov to take on Ovechkin.

What a d!ck move by OV! Pathetic!

What a d!ck move by OV! Pathetic!
- Clyde334

That’s how they do it in Russia

That’s how they do it in Russia
- Nucker101

Should've listened to me, Rierden.

Should've listened to me, Rierden.
- Blackstrom2

🖕

Slavin absolute madman, best player in the series so far.

Canes down to 10 forwards for rest of game. Both Ferland and Svechnikov out for the rest of game. Dumb for Svechnikov to take on Ovechkin.
- Barbecued Hockey

Crazy that the Canes kept the Caps to 1 shot for about 2 full periods...

Crazy that the Canes kept the Caps to 1 shot for about 2 full periods...
- 13sundin13

Absolutely dominant after Svech went down. Unreal.

Also he was seen walking around postgame according to J.Staal and seems to be alright, so we'll see what happens there.

OV is a deuschbag. You beat up a 'kid'? seriously?? Pick on someone your own size. Hell, I'm 6'2" 235lbs, come at me like that. what a dckbag.

OV is a deuschbag. You beat up a 'kid'? seriously?? Pick on someone your own size. Hell, I'm 6'2" 235lbs, come at me like that. what a dckbag.
- mattstake

he literally asked Ovechkin to fight, I've watched the replay like 30 times, what do you expect Ovi to do, let the kid win the fight purposely?

he literally asked Ovechkin to fight, I've watched the replay like 30 times, what do you expect Ovi to do, let the kid win the fight purposely?
- jimbro83

Yeah I don't really know what else he can do.

Like, this kid has been in your face every other shift for 2.5 games and seems to be the only guy on the other team that can do any damage against you. Regular season maybe they shrug it off but this is the playoffs. If the kid keeps asking you to go, you go.

OV is a deuschbag. You beat up a 'kid'? seriously?? Pick on someone your own size. Hell, I'm 6'2" 235lbs, come at me like that. what a dckbag.
- mattstake

Svechnikov is 6' 3'' and a little under 200. He also asked Ovi to fight. You're an idiot, and would get waxed by Ovi or any professional hockey player, including Sean Avery. pipe down.

That is why I laugh when people say Crosby and Ovi should fight. Ovi would knock his head clean off.

Svechnikov is 6' 3'' and a little under 200. He also asked Ovi to fight. You're an idiot, and would get waxed by Ovi or any professional hockey player, including Sean Avery. pipe down.
- Blackstrom2

So Brind'amour says that Svechnikov does not have the green light to fight, and that he did not ask Ovi to go, but it's all spin on all sides at this point so god only knows.

OV is a deuschbag. You beat up a 'kid'? seriously?? Pick on someone your own size. Hell, I'm 6'2" 235lbs, come at me like that. what a dckbag.
- mattstake

What?!!! Kid had NO business picking a fight with him dumbass. Internet tough guy!!! "come at me like that"...

So Brind'amour says that Svechnikov does not have the green light to fight, and that he did not ask Ovi to go, but it's all spin on all sides at this point so god only knows.
- BINGO!

And Ov's gloves came off first. Brind'amour disputed that Svechnikov asked OV. He said, that's not what I heard or something like that.

So Brind'amour says that Svechnikov does not have the green light to fight, and that he did not ask Ovi to go, but it's all spin on all sides at this point so god only knows.
- BINGO!

Whether he actually asked doesn't really matter. It was a fair fight.

But it does highlight how (frank)ing stupid fighting is. Literally knocked out one of their better players on a non-hockey altercation. It's a side show, and Svechnikov should be playing