Capitals replace Holtby in goal for 3rd period of Game 2

He’s probably right: This is going to be a long, wonderful seesaw series – that is, if the Caps win Game 2. It was Nicklas Backstrom who then spoke up.

“Yeah, obviously, it’s never where you want to be”, Holtby said of his benching.

They trailed 1-0 in the series and faced a 3-1 deficit going into the third period of Game 2.

“So, I don’t think specifics are important to get out into the media”.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. Back home and with an extra day off following their tough double-overtime loss at Ottawa, the New York Rangers are a confident group as they prepare to face the Senators in Game 3. For the second game in a row, the Capitals had a huge lead in shot attempts (89-40). Saturday night was a frustrating continuation of dominating the Penguins without reaping a reward. They have. Now they have a shot at the kind of two-games-to-none lead that could drag the Caps’ ghouls and ghosties out of the subconscious. The stakes are higher than ever, especially for the Capitals.

For his part, Holtby said it just wasn’t his night. We’re aware of that, we know that. “I expect to start every game until I’m told otherwise”. It’s not about that.

Now Trotz must decide which goalie will protect Washington’s net in Game 3 – and prevent another season from slipping away. In the first-round series against Toronto, Holtby was criticized after he allowed four goals in three straight games, almost getting benched in Game 4. Sullivan called Fleury the Penguins’ best player, and even with Crosby’s four points through two games he’s not wrong. In fact, three times (1992, ’96 and 2009) they held 2-0 series leads before collapsing. “He’s a game-changer for us and so when he didn’t change the game, I just looked to change the mojo there a little bit, that’s all”.

“We can’t get frustrated”.

Barring a miracle comeback by a team with no postseason pedigree against a playoff-tested squad, this chapter seems likely to end like all the others.

“That was the message”.

I’m pretty sure a hockey conspiracy is afoot.

It was Orpik who had the strongest message after a team meeting earlier this season.

Instead of 60 minutes of effort, the Capitals only got 20. When media were allowed in, Orpik, an alternate captain, was critical of his teammates.

“It was very intense”, Hagelin said. “We don’t need to elaborate”. “And so we were able to take advantage of a few shots tonights that helped us win the game”.

“I’m really enjoying this time right now”, a smiling Fleury said. Apparently that meant throwing as many players on the ice as possible.

After scoring two goals last game, Sidney Crosby took on more of a facilitating role with two assists.

The Flyers had just a 2.2 per cent chance of winning the lottery, yet they moved all the way up into the No. 2 selection spot when it was over.

The home team gets the last change so the coach can get the more advantageous matchup.

Crosby has won both of his previous playoff series (in 2009 and 2016) against Ovechkin-and gone on to win the Stanley Cup each time, even though Ovechkin personally scored more goals. The Capitals, like the Blue Jackets, are a heavy-hitting team, and they like to throw their weight around and try to punish an opponent anywhere on the ice.

“They don’t look at chances”, Trotz said. “I think that’s great”.