Seven players have scored game-winning goals for the Capitals in the playoffs, none of whom are the captain who led the league in that category this season.
Even one win from the conference finals, the Capitals coach knows it’s much too soon to celebrate.
“The dirty stuff, the hard stuff,” Coach Barry Trotz called it.
For the second straight game, the Capitals faced roughly 80 seconds of six-on-five. They have allowed one combined shot on goal under such siege.
“You never want to look at it as having three chances to beat someone,” defenseman Brooks Orpik said. “You definitely want to squash any hope they have.”
The 20-year-old rookie scores twice in 2-1 win as Washington takes a 3-1 series lead.
With a 2-1 series lead, the Capitals have a chance to truly climb into the driver’s seat at home.
Coach Barry Trotz compared it to a golfer’s swing, drilled through thousands of repetitions.
“Any familiarity’s good,” forward Jason Chimera said. “You go home to the same wife every day. You know what she’s all about.“
Beyond his first playoff point and patchy attempt at a postseason beard, the Capitals are seeing improvements from their youngest player.
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