After dropping Game 3 in double overtime, the Washington Capitals enter a must win Game 4. If they don’t win their season will be on the brink and could end as soon as Saturday. A win tonight guarantees this series will go six games.
Ilya Samsonov made his NHL playoff debut in Game 3. He became the 11th goaltender in franchise history to make his playoff debut. In the game, Samsonov recorded 40 saves, the most saves by a goaltender in their playoff debut in franchise history.
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Samsonov also became the third goaltender aged 24 or younger to record 40 saves in a game in franchise history, joining Braden Holtby (3 times) and Rick Tabracci (2 times). Samsonov, who faced 43 shots in Game 3, has faced at least 40 shots just once in his career prior to Game 3 which was on Jan. 3, 2020 at the Carolina Hurricanes where Samsonov made 38 saves on 41 shots in a win.
The Caps held a morning skate at TD Garden today. T.J. Oshie was not on the ice. Lars Eller was on the ice, he missed Game 3 after suffering a lower body injury in Game 2.
The goalies that were here were Craig Anderson, Samsonov, and Pheonix Copley. Samsonov was the first goalie off the ice which likely means he will get the start for the second straight game.
"It's just two really good teams going head-to-head. Obviously, with three overtimes games in the first three games, you can see how tight things are out there."@csheary13 joins @VogsCaps on Rinkside Update ahead of puck drop for Game 4.#CapsBruins | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/r5nfKBIKmh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 21, 2021
There were once again no morning skate lines as Peter Laviolette will be mysterious with his lineup. There were some power play lineups reported by Samantha Pell of The Washington Post:
First unit: Carlson, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Sprong (filling in for Oshie)
Second unit: Orlov, Schultz, Eller, Mantha, Wilson
The players that took part in the scratches skate were the following: Daniel Sprong, Daniel Carr, Martin Fehervary, Connor McMichael, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Pheonix Copley.
Laviolette was uncertain if Eller would be available tonight. No update on Oshie either but he wasn’t at morning skate last time but did play Game 3. Anderson is available if needed tonight.
Can the Caps get back in the series with a win tonight? Here’s how to find out:
Date: May 21, 2021
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: TD Garden
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Washington and NBCSN
Radio: Caps Radio 24/7
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