2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Review: (M1) Washington Capitals vs. (W2) Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 1 saw Toronto jump into a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals by Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner in the first half of the first period. Justin Williams would break the shutout minutes later, finding the back of the net. Williams again struck in the second to tie the game. Washington's offense picked up steam in the third, but the game remained deadlock. In what ended up being a running theme of this series, overtime was needed. The extra frame lasted just over five minutes, as Tom Wilson's shot found it's way past Frederik Andersen, winning the game for Washington. The Capitals came out firing in Game 2, but again it was the Leafs to struck first. James van Riemsdyk scored late in the first to put Toronto in the lead. The second saw a couple of lead changes, as a pair of Washington goals put them out front. The lead lasted all of three minutes, as a late period surge by Toronto saw them score twice to take back the lead. Washington pressed for a tying goal in the third, and would get it thanks to Nicklas Backstrom. Not just one, but two overtime periods were needed to find a winner. Brian Boyle's pass from behind the net found Kasperi Kapanen, who snapped it past an unsuspecting Braden Holtby. The series was tied heading into Toronto. Game 3 saw the Capitals strike early, scoring twice in the first five minutes. Auston Matthews scored later in the period to put the Leafs on the board. The Capitals restored the two goal lead in the second thanks to Evgeni Kuznetsov. That lead didn't last until the end of the period, as the Leafs scored twice before the buzzer went. Toronto's offense pressed in the third, but failed to score. It wasn't the case in overtime, as a Capitals penalty resulted in Tyler Bozak redirecting a pass into the net to give the Leafs the win and series lead. Washington didn't take the defeat lying down, as they came out firing in Game 4. The first period saw the Capitals find the back of the net four times, as they headed into the intermission up 4-1. While the second period was a slow one for the Leafs, van Riemsdyk did score to decrease the deficit to two. Toronto went on the attack in the third, and were rewarded with a Matthews goal. The celebration didn't last long, as T.J. Oshie scored to restore the two-goal lead. A late goal by Bozak was all for naught, as the Capitals win and tie the series back up. The first period in Game 5 was slower than the last game, as Oshie scored the lone goal of the period. Matthews goal six minutes into the second tied the game. Chances would be exchanged, but nothing would be solved until overtime. A minute into the extra frame, Williams ended it with a shot from the slot. Game 6 was blank until the third, when goals by Matthews (Leafs) and Marcus Johansson (Capitals) scored five minutes apart.  For the fifth time this series, 60 minutes wasn't enough. It would be Johansson, with his second of the game, to end both the game and the series. The Washington Capitals needed six games to eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Games

Toronto Maple Leafs 2 - Washington Capitals 3 (OT)
Toronto Maple Leafs 4 - Washington Capitals 3 (2OT)
Washington Capitals 3 - Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Washington Capitals 5 - Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Toronto Maple Leafs 1 - Washington Capitals 2 (OT)
Washington Capitals 2 - Toronto Maple Leafs 1 (OT)

Three Thoughts on the Series (Sponsored by a Leaf Fan)

1. BUDS
2. ALL
3. DAY

Picture of the Series

#DARTGUY

(Original image via @felixpotvin)

Highlight of the Series

Nice pass by Brian Boyle on the Kasperi Kapanen overtime-winning goal.