Capitals drop a heartbreaker in NHL 20 simulation
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.
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Can the Caps bounce back and win the series in Buffalo? Check back tomorrow to find out.