Capitals Collapse in Game 5
The Washington Capitals started Game 5, playing like a better team than the Florida Panthers. As a result, it looked like they would take a promising and demanding three to two lead in the series. But the team with the most come-from-behind wins in the NHL had different plans.
The game started off strong for the Caps, with T.J. Oshie getting the deflection goal from the John Carlson shot to give Washington the 1-0 lead with 12:51 left in the first. With some help from Ilya Samsonov and the Caps owning the 1st period and pushing the pace of play, the first period would end that way.
In the second, the Capitals continued their hot start two minutes into the 2nd period with a scrappy and, I’ll admit, an unexpected goal from veteran d-man Justin Schultz. Then it gets even better for Washington with Oshie doing what Oshie does best, big goals in big games. Oshie added another a little over a minute later to give the Caps a 3-0 lead.
They were up by three, almost halfway through the game. All is right with the world. Oh, wait. It’s the Caps. They are playing the best comeback team in the league. Then came the inevitable collapse.
Carter Verhaeghe, Patric Hornqvist, and Sam Reinhart scored three unanswered goals to tie up the game at 3-3. Once the Panthers began their comeback, Washington looked like a different team. All momentum was with Florida on home ice, Samsonov started to look shaky, and the Panthers were skating circles around the Caps.
In the 3rd period, the Panthers maintained their momentum and quickly went up 4-3 three minutes into the third off of a two on one goal from Verhaeghe. The Caps could never find their groove again, and late in the game, Claude Giroux made it 5-3 for the Panther’s 5th straight unanswered goal.
The Caps would end up getting outshot 38 to 33, and Sergei Bobrovsky would rack up 30 saves despite his rough start.
Must Read. The Washington Capitals Special Teams Are Dominating The Florida Panthers. light
A roaring start for Washington led to a painful collapse, and now the Capitals head back home in a must-win situation to push the series to a game seven. Game 6 will be Friday at 7:30 pm on TBS and NBC Sports Washington.