Washington Capital takeover Eastern Conference top spot after eliminating Toronto Maple Leafs from Playoffs
Tuesday was a big day for Washington Capitals as they took over the top spot in the Eastern Conference from Philadelphia Flyers. Not only did they become number-one, they also clinched the Southeast Division for the fourth straight time after beating Maple
Leafs by 3-2 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario.
"We want to be in first everywhere, so it's nice", Capitals’ star captain, Alex Ovechkin, said about their double occupation.
Nikolai Kulemin scored in the first period to take an early lead for Maple Leafs but he was answered back by Alex Ovechkin nearly six minutes later to tie it up. Both scored on power-play opportunities, capitalising on two of three penalty chances.
Ovechkin was feeling great after the game in which he scored his 300th goal in his six year career as a professional National Hockey League player. Kulemin fired off a great start for Maple Leafs who had many chances at the net but went into a
slump after giving two straight penalties.
He tricked Capitals’ goalie, Michal Neuvirth, who thought he was passing the puck but instead shot it through his legs.
Rookie goalie, Michal Neuvirth, was able to stop 19 shots while James Reimer faced 41 Capitals shots of which 39 were blocked.
Toronto’s left winger, Joffrey Lupul, made the tie breaker 1:35 into the second period. He was fed the pass by Phil Kessel across the ice to score his fifth goal in the past seven games.
John Erskine again tied up the match a little over midway through. Both teams tried desperately to add another goal in the remaining eight minutes but were forced into a pressurized third and final period.
Washington and Toronto had 14-9 shooting attempts respectively in the final 20 minutes, but failed to bank the puck. They were forced into overtime but both only had one attempt each resulting in a concluding shootout.
Maple Leafs failed to gain a point on its four attempts in the shootout.
Washington was left with its last opportunity after missing three.
Right wing for Capitals, Mike Knuble, made the last break at winning after scoring on Reimer for 27 feet.
Knuble’s goal eliminated the home team from the playoffs, as they stand 10th in the Eastern Conference with 85 points and only two games remaining. Even if they are to win their remaining season matchups, it would only take them to the ninth position,
still shy of the eighth by two points.
Capitals will continue their dominance when they face off Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
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