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Stanley Cup Playoffs: Washington Capitals Overcome Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 In Overtime

By Subir Nigam

Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Capitals overcame an early two goal deficit to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Washington Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs after scoring three unanswered goals. They now hold a 1-0 series lead over them. Justin Williams led the way with two goals and Tom Wilson got the game winner.

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Less than two minutes into the game, Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner scored off somewhat of a broken play that left Holtby out of position. From then on, the Caps were sloppy as they gave up 2v1 chances as well as taking an offensive zone penalty. At the nine-minute mark, Toronto was credited with another goal after Mike Babcock’s challenge reversed the original goalie interference call.

At this point you could feel the collective nervousness from the home fans. It wasn’t until a much needed powerplay that the Caps got their first goal. Justin Williams scored from a T.J Oshie assist after Shattenkirk broke his stick on a slapshot. It was a broken play, but a huge goal for the Caps.

Toronto’s speed created problems for Washington all night long. Their forecheck did not allow the Caps any easy exits, and at times it created turnovers. Holtby had to make some spectacular saves to keep the Caps within striking distance.

Tied at 2, After 2

It was a stop-and-start type of game once the second period began. Halfway through the period, the Caps did not have many good scoring chances while Toronto was very close to regaining their two goal advantage. There was a series of plays where the Caps iced the puck three times in a row.

Finally with just four minutes left in the period, Washington tied the game with an even-strength goal. Evgeny Kuznetsov had a good entry into the Toronto zone and found Matt Niskanen trailing the play. Niskanen then took a hard wrist shot which was saved but eventually deposited by Justin Williams who found the loose puck underneath Frederik Andersen. With his second goal of the game, Williams gave the home crowd something to cheer about.

The Stage Was Set

The third period was very exciting but did not yield any goals. Both teams had flurries of chances with every shot drawing reaction from the crowd. Each team’s goalie made huge saves on odd man rushes and eventually the game went to overtime.

As overtime began, you could tell the gameplan for Toronto was to shoot the puck at the net from any angle. It almost worked a couple times, but Holtby remained solid between the pipes. Not to be outdone though was Andersen, who made an incredible OT save on Orpik and even got a piece of Burakovsky’s follow up shot.

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Game 1 was finally decided at the 5:05 mark of OT when the Caps fourth line provided the winning goal. Tom Wilson used his hands to keep the puck in the offensive zone and then he ripped a wicked shot from a tough angle to beat Andersen. The shot whistled right past his ear as the Verizon Center erupted in celebration. Overall, it took maximum effort for the Caps to win but eventually they persevered.

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