The Maple Leafs owned the ice for the better part of the first period and it was none other than 2015 first-round pick (fourth overall) Mitch Marner who shot Toronto into a 1-0 lead a minute and 35 seconds into the game. Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 2.9 goals per game and are killing 82.5 percent of their opponents power plays.
One of the main narratives entering this series was how the Leafs lacked playoff experience and how the Bruins, who were fresh off a Stanley Cup victory in 2011, were riddled with veterans and knew how to win in the postseason. With the Leafs' first game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, who will be healthy and ready for the playoffs?
I'll let you listen to the rest of it yourself and decide for yourself what you think about Babcock's latest version of his running gag about fighting with the medical staff over injured players. They had enough offensive chances to win. He then made two terrific stops on Brooks Orpik and Andre Burakovksy early in the overtime period, the Leafs share of scoring opportunities slowing before Wilson's game-winner.
Toronto was on the verge of taking that 2-1 lead into the third period, but when Andersen made a save on Matt Niskanen and lost sight of the puck in front of him, Williams swooped in and banged it home for his second goal with 4:00 left in the second. If you are still not convinced about Fubo TV then try out their 7-day trial free, so you can watch Maple Leafs vs Capitals Stream Online.
Brought in last season because he's been through the playoff wars - and three Cup parades - the former Conn Smythe winning winger was the voice of inspiration on the bench and in the room when Washington fell behind 2-0 in Game 1.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom remember what their first taste of the playoffs was like, even though it was nine years ago.
It feels like the Toronto Maple Leafs blew their chance in game one to steal a road game and put pressure on Washington in this series. In those seasons, Washington never made it past the second round. After a defensive zone faceoff win, the Leafs charged into the Capitals zone on a three-on-two.
"I always like to start the second night", said Babcock before the game. "But once the game gets going, your adrenaline takes over and you start to make plays". Unfortunately, due to an upper-body injury, Zaitsev will miss Game 1.
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Especially with some players banged up, it would be intuitive for certain guys to sit in at least one game of the back-to-back. Westbrook scored the game's final eight points overall as Denver's shooters went cold when one more bucket would have iced it.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan offered no public update of Murray's status on Thursday, saying only there's no timetable for Murray's return.
Zaitsev's absence from the lineup for the first time this season forced the Toronto coaching staff to make some adjustments.
Fleury's appearance today will be his 102nd in the playoffs, a franchise record for a goaltender.
The Blues and Capitals both have a reputation as teams that underachieve once the Stanley Cup playoffs arrive.
In Stanley Cup playoff history, only the Coyotes (minus-17) have a worse goal differential in Game 7s than the Capitals (minus-16). With the way his season has gone, expect more from this 24-year-old by the end of the playoffs.
In the past decade, Washington has won seven division titles but hasn't advanced beyond the conference semifinals. The playoffs are the best time of year. You know what? It's a good feeling.
Vegas Golden Knights tab Gallant as their first coach: The Vegas Golden Knights have hired Gerard Gallant as the first coach of the National Hockey League expansion team. "I just went to the net, and fortunately it popped there". "They came out with their fast, skilled game and created a little bit of havoc". "We can't be afraid to step in and play the right way and have fun". Assuming he continues to play at his current level, the Capitals should have no problem dispatching Toronto in short order.
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