It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals against the wild card Toronto Maple Leafs.
Game 1: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Toronto led off in the first period with a Mitchell Marner goal, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on with a Jake Gardiner goal, going in unassisted. Washington got on the board with a Justin Williams power play goal, powered by T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Capitals tied it on another Williams goal in the second period, courtesy of Matt Niskanen and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with a Tom Wilson goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Williams, Wilson, and Holtby (35 for 37 in saves). The Capitals lead the series 1-0.
Game 2: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Toronto began in the first period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, helped along by Jake Gardiner and Tyler Bozak. Washington tied it in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, powered by T.J. Oshie and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals took the lead on a John Carlson power play goal, with assists provided by Justin Williams and Andre Burakovsky. The Maple Leafs retied it on a Kasperi Kapanen goal, guided in by Matt Martin and Brian Boyle. Toronto took the lead with a Morgan Rielly power play goal, fueled by Mitchell Marner. Washington tied it again with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, assisted by Dmitry Orlov in the third period. The Maple Leafs won in double overtime with a Kapanen goal, his second of the game, made possible by Boyle and Martin. The three stars were Kapanen, Boyle, and Martin in the 4-3 game. The series heads north tied at 1.
Game 3: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs. Washington started in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Nate Schmidt and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Backstrom and Oshie. Toronto got on the board with an Auston Matthews goal, with a lone assist by Morgan Rielly. Washington replied in the second period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, passed from Marcus Johansson and Justin Williams. The Maple Leafs countered with a Nazem Kadri goal, helped along by Leo Komarov. Toronto tied it on a William Nylander goal, guided in by Matthews and Zach Hyman. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in overtime with a Tyler Bozak power play goal, powered by Kadri and Rielly. The three stars belonged to Matthews, Kadri, and Rielly, while Backstrom and Oshie get the honorable mentions.
Game 4: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs. Washington opened in the first period with a T.J. Oshie goal, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and Nate Schmidt. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk. Toronto tied it on a Zach Hyman goal, via Jake Gardiner and William Nylander. Washington answered with a Tom Wilson goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Lars Eller and Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals extended the lead as Wilson scored his second of the game and third of the postseason, coming off of Andre Burakovsky and Brooks Orpik. The Maple Leafs got closer with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal in the second period, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Morgan Rielly and Mitchell Marner. Toronto got closer in the third period with an Auston Matthews goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Matt Hunwick and Connor Brown. Washington shot back on an Oshie goal, his second of the game, with a lone helper by Backstrom. The Maple Leafs pulled one back with a Tyler Bozak goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from Marner and Nylander. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Wilson, Oshie, and Backstrom, while Marner and Nylander get the honorable mentions. The series heads back stateside tied at 2.
Game 5: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington struck first in the first period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Kevin Shattenkirk. Toronto tied it in the second period with an Auston Matthews goal, his third of the playoffs, via William Nylander and Zach Hyman. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a Justin Williams goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. The three stars went to Williams, Oshie, and Holtby (24 for 25 in saves). The Capitals leave home again with a 3-2 series lead.
Game 6: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs. Toronto got going in the third period with an Auston Matthews goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Morgan Rielly and Zach Hyman. Washington tied it on a Marcus Johansson goal, assisted by Lars Eller and Brooks Orpik. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a Johansson goal, his second of the game, made possible by Justin Williams and John Carlson. The three stars were Johansson, Holtby (37 for 38 in saves), and Andersen (34 for 36 in saves). The Capitals win the series 4-2, setting the Second Round as they are the last team to advance.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and keep an eye out for the next round, beginning Wednesday.
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