Caps in game 5 vs Montreal

WASHINGTON DC, DC - APRIL 23: Alex Ovechkin skates away as the Montreal Canadiens celebrate their second goal of the first period scored by Travis Moen #32 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 23, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)


After the 1st period:

Ovechkin's stats:
+/- -2, TOT 07:32, 9 shifts, AVG 00:50, PP 02:47, SH 00:11, EV 04:34, 1 shot on goal, 1 giveaway

Knuble, Backstrom also -2, the first line was on ice for both Habs goals.

It was definitely a great decision to go with Halak for Habs. Carey Price can't stop Ovechkin, but Halak can. Other goals vs Halak were very tough to stop with Caps crushing the net and there was a bit of luck involved.

Can Caps lose tonight? Big chance. With two goals down and Halak playing his top game, it's a big chance. Let's keep the fingers crossed that it won't happen.


2nd period is over:

After Ovechkin has scored by crushing the net (by the way, it seems like the only way to put the puck behind Halak and in the net) the momentum was on Caps side. But then a string of unnecessary penalties and the score stays at 1:2. Ovi was very impressive, 5 shots with 2 blocked.

Ovi's stats after the 2nd:
1 goal, +/- -1, TOT 14:35, 16 shifts, AVG 00:54, PP 05:07, SH 00:16, EV 09:12, 4 shots on goal (3 in the 2nd), 2 attempts blocked, 1 giveaway, 1 blocked shot

Knuble got one assist, Carlson (!) got another.


Game's over, but the series are not. Hafta go back to Montreal and deliver there. My prediction was Caps in 6. So... Halak is back and that's the worst part. Semin looks like impotent, he tries hard, but...

I am always cautious when Caps come back to play at home. Why? Because on the road they pay more attention to defense which is Achilles' heel for Capitals. Do you remember the last year's game 7? Just like tonight it was 0:2 quickly in the first. Caps MUST finish Habs in game 6 or it will be déjà vu all over again.

Go, Caps!


Ovi's stats:
TOT 24:47, SHF 23, AVG 01:04, PP 07:07, SH 01:23, EV 16:17, S 6, A/B 3



OvechkinW — April 23, 2010 — Ovechkin gets another
Alex Ovechkin scores in his fourth-straight game and brings the Caps within 1 in the second.
4/23/2010 1:09 Mins

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