The Washington Capitals are facing their first potential elimination game of the 2018 postseason and they came out in… ALL CAPS.
The Capitals out-hit the Lightning 16-9 in a physical first period.
“We’re on our toes. That’s what you want in this game,” Caps head coach Barry Trotz told Pierre McGuire. “Our backs are against the wall. We’re not playing safe.”
There were several notable physical exchanges.
Tom Wilson leveled Cedric Paquette into the boards.
Chris Kunitz and Wilson got mixed up by the two team’s benches.
Caps defenseman Brooks Orpik fought Lightning forward JT Miller.
Dan Girardi leveled Alex Ovechkin with this hit off a faceoff. There was no call on the play. NBC analysts believed the hit was interference.
Ovechkin got Girardi back later while fighting for position just outside the crease.
He was running dudes over all over the place.
TJ Oshie also slashed and then ran over Steven Stamkos on his to the Bolts crease.
Fun!
