Capitals vs. Maple Leafs: Three Keys To Victory In Game 2

The Washington Capitals look to take a 2-0 series lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday April 15. Here are three keys to victory. 

Despite a slow start, the Washington Capitals are off to a strong start to the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. At one point in Game 1, they were down two goals to the underdog Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Caps got their wakeup call and dominated the last 37 minutes of the game. Their effort wasn’t ignored, as Tom Wilson scored in overtime to give Washington a 1-0 series lead.

On Saturday April 15, they will look to grab a 2-0 series lead and put some more pressure on the Maple Leafs. At worst, the Caps will leave home with a split series. However, grabbing a 2-0 series lead would be most ideal, as it would ease some of the pressure off of them while putting some on the Leafs for a change.

While they won in Game 1, they must make some adjustments going into Game 2. Some of these adjustments will prove to be keys to the second game of the series. Washington can’t afford to let Toronto get much momentum, as they’re a team that can run with it. Hopefully the first few minutes of Game 1 served as an alarm clock for the Caps, as they nearly dug themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of. Washington can’t assume they’ll be able to do it again.

Here are three keys to a Caps victory over the Maple Leafs in Game 2.

3. Special Teams

At even strength, the Capitals and Maple Leafs were roughly equal in Game 1. The Caps won the even strength Corsi battle, with chances slightly favoring the Caps 69 to 62. However, what won them the game was their special teams play. The Caps relied heavily on it in Game 1. If they can win the battle again in Game 2, it will be a huge help to their chances.

Both teams have excellent special teams. Washington got a power play goal in three opportunities. Even on the two power plays they didn’t score on, they used them effectively to wear out the Leafs and shift momentum in their favor. The Caps comeback began on the power play courtesy of Justin Williams. Washington pinned Toronto in their own zone, exhausting them. The Leafs’ fatigue hurt them in the last 37 minutes.

Washington also won the battle when they were shorthanded. Of course, it helps when you only commit one penalty. But as they say, the most effective way to have a good penalty kill is to rarely use it. Staying out of the penalty box against the Maple Leafs is a wise decision. But fans should be optimistic about their penalty kill being able to handle things because they held Toronto without a shot on their lone power play.

2. Third Line Battle

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Both of the Capitals and Maple Leafs got positive things from their respective third lines on Thursday. But Washington should be gravely concerned about Toronto’s third line. They dominated for most of the game and Mitch Marner was borderline unstoppable. Toronto’s third line is very hard to match up against.

They have a lot of skill and speed, which is typically not something you see from a third line. Toronto’s third line (centered by Tyler Bozak) saw primarily the fourth line and the wrong side won the battle. The Capitals need to match up better against this deadly line. And why not counter one of the best third lines in hockey with arguably the best?

Lars Eller, Andre Burakovsky and Brett Connolly averaged roughly 11 minutes of ice time in Game 1. This is baffling because they dominated the possession game. Connolly and Burakovsky each put up even strength Corsi For percentages of over 60 while Eller was just below that at 58.62 percent. Corsi isn’t everything, but when you’re dominating possession at those rates, you’re doing a darn good job of limiting shot attempts against and creating shot attempts for. Less shot attempts against means less chances for luck to rudely insert itself in the game.

The best way to defend speed is by matching it with speed. Barry Trotz needs to either give his third line more playing time against the Leafs third line or he needs to adopt a new strategy to guard them.