AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The Washington Capitals gave a pathetic performance in Game 2. Through half the game, they only had 5 shots on net. While their push in the 3rd period was significantly stronger, overall, they gave a very lackluster performance.
Let’s break down all of the Capitals lines and see how they performed. Each line will get a letter grade, and a short analysis of their performance.
GRADE: D
Analysis: Oshie recorded 4 shots on net, and had another strong game in this series. Ovechkin recorded 3 shots on net and 5 hits. The top line did not register any points.
GRADE: C-
GRADE: D-
Analysis: This line only recorded 1 shot on net. They did not provide any surge or momentum for the Capitals.
GRADE: C
Analysis: Beagle and Winnik were excellent on the Capitals penalty kill tonight. They have really gelled and have boosted the Capitals on special teams.
GRADE: D-
Analysis: Orpik and Carlson were on the ice for both Penguins goals. Orpik could be hearing from the NHL’s league office for an elbow to the head of Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta.
GRADE: B-
Analysis: Matt Niskanen stopped several odd-man rushes, and really did well getting into passing lanes. Karl Alzner was also steady in the Capitals defensive zone.
GRADE: F
Analysis: Chorney committed another silly penalty, which he has done throughout the playoffs. Schmidt only played 11:00 minutes in the game.
GRADE: A+
Analysis: Holtby stopped 33 Penguins shots and was outstanding. The score could have been a lot worse if he was not on top of his game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
GRADE: A-
Analysis: The Capitals were 1/2 on the powerplay, and the penalty killing units killed off 5 Penguins powerplays. The strong showing of the special teams by the Capitals definitely kept the score closer than it probably should have been or could have been.
ON-ICE OFFICIALS (DAN O’HALLORAN AND KEVIN POLLOCK)
GRADE: F
Analysis: The main error Dan O’Halloran had tonight was the goalie interference call on Evgeny Kuznetsov. There have been instances where goals have been waived off with goaltender interference that have ended with no penalty and incidental contact called. The replay also clearly shows Kuznetsov being tripped by Matt Murray’s stick on the play, which should not count as goaltender interference.
Kuznetsov falling on Murray could have just led to the no-goal, no penalty incidental contact.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 1, 2016
Kuznetsov sits on goalie, gets called for interference, goal gets called off. pic.twitter.com/1z42bTM7DE
— Shane O’Donnell (@shane1342o) May 1, 2016
By: George Foussekis
