Washington Capitals Win First Round Series Against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game Six
The Washington Capitals have officially came back after being down 0-2 and are moving onto the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 in game six.
Braden Holtby was stellar tonight stopping 35 shots and allowing three goals who should’ve been first star of tonight’s game. Holtby taken over the series when coming in game three and hasn’t lost since. He’s proven why fans have called him the Holtbeast and has been the best goalie in the playoffs so far. The Capitals where outshot this game 38 to 28, and Holtby out played Bobrovsky big time tonight.
Holtby made unbelievable saves all night and has given the Capitals great momentum going into the second round against arch nemesis the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Capitals scores first this game after Dimitri Orlov blast a nasty slap shot past Sergi Bobrovsky over his glove to give the Capitals a 1-0 game. Later in the second period the Blue Jackets tied the game up after Nick Folingo beat Holtby high blocker side.
Later in the second Alex Ovechkin lead by example and scored two goals. One being on the power play in his spot, and another goal showing true grit battling defensemen for a rebound goal from a shot from Brooks Orpik.
The Capitals has a slow first period being out shot 18-2, and having Columbus scoring the first goal of the period from Pierre Dubois, but the Caps played defensively strong, blocked shots and looked like a team that wanted the cup. Davonte Smith-Pelly later scored a beautiful goal from a rocket of a wrist shot last Bobrovsky glove, and moment later Chandler Stephenson scored a nasty goal displaying some sick hands for a potential Sports Center top ten play of the night to give the Capitals a 5-2 lead.
Later in the third period the Capitals continued to block shots, and Holtby continued to play unreal out of this world Hockey. Nick Folingo did give the Blue Jackets a chance scoring to make it a 5-3 game, but Lars Eller scored an empty net goal to give the Capitals a 6-3 win!
So the next question is; is this going to be another second and done losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round, or can the Capitals finally beat the Penguins for a real chance at the Cup?
I truly believe so, because the Capitals aren’t the Presidents Trophy winners, so that takes some pressure off them with the media. If Holtby stays hot, and the Capitals proved they can score goals with just not there superstars, but proved they finally have secondary scoring that can help this team go deep into the playoffs.
Matt Murray hasn’t been the greatest so far in the playoffs with a 2.20 goals against ranking eighth among starting goalies compared to Holtby’s 1.92 who has the second best behind former Penguin Marc Andre-Flurry. Either way this coming Series is going to be pure electric as usual and us Capitals fans and hockey fans can not wait.
