The narratives were alive and well in Washington on Thursday.
NHL playoff scores 2017: Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin star in the postseason’s best game
There’s no question Penguins vs. Capitals should have been the Eastern Conference Final.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
For all that’s said that the Capitals vs. Penguins matchups are more than Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, the two captains sure made Game 1 all about themselves. Crosby scored twice in 52 seconds to open the second, while Ovechkin kicked off a Capitals comeback with a goal 17 minutes later.
It didn’t end that way, with Evgeny Kuznetsov scoring the tying goal eight minutes into the third and Nick Bonino countering with a backbreaker four minutes later.
Even still, in the Capitals’ 3-2 loss, the hockey world was given a treat in seeing Ovechkin and Crosby rise to the occasion. If the rest of this series is anything like Game 1, we are in for one incredible playoff series.
Scores
Three Things We Learned
1. Yer a wizard, Erik Karlsson
There’s no other explanation for this goal other than magic. None.
Karlsson’s shot came from below the red line, bounced off Derek Stepan then off the helmet of Lundqvist on its way into the net. Plus, it was the game winner! Not a bad start to the series for Ottawa’s best player.
2. Besides that mistake, Lundqvist was real solid
The Senators put up 43 shots on net, but Lundqvist had quite the game, including this incredible save in the first period.
3. The Capitals will never score again
Washington didn’t score here, so they’re clearly doomed.
Impact Moment
Ovechkin’s goal brought the Capitals back from the grave, for a little while.
Stat of the Night
Karlsson’s goal has increased his playoff legend twofold.
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