WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals were no stranger to the situation they found themselves in on Sunday, with their backs against the wall and in a must-win situation once again to save the season. While they clawed back time and time again over the year, it wouldn't be enough this time around against the high-flying New York Rangers as the season came to an end.
Special teams proved to be the difference-maker again, and the Rangers were able to power their way to a 4-2 win to complete the sweep and eliminate the Capitals in four games.
Here are all the takeaways from the loss.
Special Teams, Lack Of Discipline Costly Again
After a Nick Jensen giveaway led to an easy goal for Kaapo Kakko just 57 seconds in, Washington was able to keep up at 5-on-5, but special teams again proved costly.
The Capitals played an undisciplined game and saw some calls go against them, like when Nick Jensen went off for tripping Adam Fox on what some believed was embellishment.
Vincent Trocheck scored on the ensuing power play, and after that goal, Wilson took an irresponsible and undisciplined penalty, losing his cool and going after Fox. It led to another power play, and though D.C. was fortunate that New York didn't covert on it, it still put Wilson off the ice for two minutes.
Meanwhile, the Capitals went 0-for-2 on the man advantage as their power-play struggles continued at the worst possible time.
Then, in the third period, T.J. Oshie was called for high-sticking, and Artemi Panarin made no mistake, ripping home a shot on the power play to make it a 3-2 game.
With 2:42 minutes left in regulation, Rasmus Sandin tripped Artemi Panarin, giving the Rangers another power-play chance and putting his team shorthanded at a critical juncture. Jack Roslovic scored on that chance, capitalizing on the Capitals' empty net.
New York went 3-for-4 on the night.
Lapierre Comes Up Big, Fehervary Stays Hot As Capitals Hold Their Own At 5-on-5
Washington got some good looks at 5-on-5, with the Protas-Strome-Wilson trio leading the charge there. And ultimately, it was a Protas feed to Martin Fehervary that gave the team hope.
Fehervary made no mistake on a great pass from Protas to even the score and pull D.C. back into the fight in the first. It was his second goal of the series, and he put up points in all but one game against the Rangers.
The Capitals had just one forward score at 5-on-5 all series long going into Game 4, but Hendrix Lapierre changed that with a highlight-reel goal in the second period to even the score.
View the original article to see embedded media.
It's not the rookie's first time scoring on a big stage in a do-or-die game; he also scored Hershey's game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final last season. Hershey would win 3-2 in overtime to secure the title.
Washington showed some grit and fought at 5-on-5, even dominating in the second and turning the game in their favor.
Ovechkin Held Scoreless Through Series, Capitals' Late Push Halted
Washington's offense was also limited in a big way with Igor Shesterkiin on top of his game, but also, Alex Ovechkin couldn't get on the scoresheet at all throughout the series, marking the first time he was held pointless in a playoff series in his 15 apperances.
The Capitals captain appeared to see a bit of a drop in his minutes, and the lines also tweaked in the third, with him being reunited with Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson to try and provide a spark.
While D.C. fought hard and pushed in a furious rally, it wasn't enough and was ultimately cut short by the Sandin penalty.
Most Popular
Comments / 0