The Washington Capitals fought hard in today’s NHL 20 playoff simulation but three goals allowed to the Buffalo Sabres proved costly.
Now the Washington Capitals are up 3-2 in the series after winning the first three games.
They dropped a tough one on home ice with four unanswered goals including an empty netter dagger in a 5-2 defeat in Game 5.
The Sabres struck first on a goal from Jeff Skinner at 2:19 assisted by Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Dahlin.
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The Caps tied it at 7:11 on a goal from Jakub Vrana off a shot from the right face-off circle for his third of the playoffs. Michal Kempny forced a turnover near the neutral zone and kept the puck in and was credited with the assist.
After Victor Olofsson was called for hooking at 10:34 the Caps were given the game’s first power play and they struck with a rebound goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov in front of the net off a shot from Alex Ovechkin. It came 23 seconds into the power play attack and was Kuznetsov’s second of the playoffs. Nicklas Backstrom had the secondary assist.
2-1 Caps was the score after 20. The Caps outshot the Sabres 12-6.
The Caps failed to score in the second period and found themselves in penalty trouble that would prove costly. At 13:42 T.J. Oshie was called for a hooking minor and at 14:31 Evan Rodrigues would tie the game. Remember earlier in the series I had a bad feeling about him since he is actually a current Penguin.
2-2 was the score after 40 with the Caps having the edge in shots 19-14.
The third period was all Sabres. Jack Eichel gave them the lead with 2:13 left. Then at 18:32 Victor Olofsson took over with the first of two goals, his second being an empty netter to seal the game and force a Game 6.
Can the Caps bounce back and win the series in Buffalo? Check back tomorrow to find out.