Wednesday, July 25, 2018
The Puck Stops here!
On Monday
night, the Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights to
move ever-so-close to capturing their first Stanley Cup. The series
now shifts to Las Vegas, with the Capitals in a position to hoist the
Cup with one victory. It is a long haul, this road to the Cup. A team
must win 16 playoff games to become champions.
This series
began with the Cinderella Knights poised to become unlikely
champions. Coach Barry Trotz and the rest of the brass in Washington
had other plans. They had re-tooled in the off season to put together
a team that boasted a dynamic offense, and a stingy defense.
Alexander
Ovechkin has been the most important player in the Capitals' lineup
for many seasons. He has consistently led the team in scoring, and is
identified as the team's leader. He wears the “C” on his sweater,
and has that flair as a dynamic captain. He has performed well in
this year's playoff run, even when other teams think they have a
defense that might be effective against him.
Another
Capitals' player who has shone brilliantly in these playoffs is
Evgeny Kuznetsov. He and “Ovi” give the Capitals a “one-two
punch” that is difficult to contain. Each of those individuals
stations himself on the outer edge of the faceoff circle on the
offensive end, readying for a pass. They raise their sticks behind
them and slam difficult passes at the goal.
Despite his
best efforts, Marc-Andre Fleury has not been able to solve the
Capitals. He has performed brilliantly, but not quite good enough to
bring home the bacon for the Knights. At the other end of the rink,
the Caps' Braden Holtby has been sensational. He has thwarted the
best efforts of the Knights' best scorers, frustrating them to no
end. He has been the difference-maker in this series.
He has had
some help. The forwards and the defensive corps of the Capitals go to
great lengths to block shots. Have you ever been hit by a 100
mile-an-hour shot? If not, I do not recommend putting yourself in
that position. The Capitals' players throw themselves in front of
shots with great abandon, and usually limp to the bench after the
effort. But the bottom line is that the shot did not reach the net,
that another scoring opportunity was lost, and the team could move on
offense.
The Caps are
no strangers to playoff hockey. They have been invited to the dance
11 times in the last 12 seasons. This is the first year that they
have separated themselves from all of those nemeses that kept them
away from Lord Stanley's mug. They now lead the series three games to
one, and there is no reason why the won't sew it up in Vegas.
At the
American League level, the Toronto Marlies are battling with the
Texas Stars in the final for the Calder Cup. Leaf fans are keeping an
eye on this series, in anticipation for next year. The Leafs should
be able to supplement roster losses from the baby Leafs.
And finally,
the ECHL is wrapping up its season as the Florida Everblades have
taken a 3-2 lead over the Colorado Eagles in its quest for the Kelly
Cup. It is East meets West in all of these championships, as we head
into the summer months.
Enjoy your
playoffs.
James Hurst
June 5,
2018.
# posted by James Hurst @ 8:45 AM 
