Lightning Strike Again 4-2, Tie Series 2-2

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Jon Sorensen

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 Thursday night at Capital One Arena. With the Lightning’s win, the series is now tied 2-2, with Game 5 set for Saturday night in Tampa. 

After Dmitry Orlov opened the scoring, the Lightning responded with two consecutive goals to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Evgeny Kuznetsov notched a tally early in the middle frame, sending the game into the second intermission tied 2-2. The Lightning would take a 3-2 lead late and add an empty net goal for the 4-2 win.

STARTERS
Braden Holtby (10-4, 2.18 GAA, .921 sv%) started between the pipes for the Capitals. Andrei Vasilevskiy (9-4, 2.68 GAA, .915 sv%) started in goal for the Lightning. The Capitals starting forward lines and defensive pairs for Game 4:

Forward lines:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Stephenson-Backstrom-Connolly
DSP-Beagle-Burakovsky
Defensive Pairs:
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos

Scratches: Madison Bowey, Jakub Jerabek, Alex Chiasson, Shane Gersich, Travis Boyd Nathan Walker and Pheonix Copley.

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals opened the scoring with a blast from the left circle by Dmitry Orlov at 4:28 of the opening frame. T.J. Oshie and Matt Niskanen were credited with the assists.

But the Lightning would quickly tie the game with a goal from Brayden Point at 5:38 of the first period.

The Lightning would grab the lead with a power play goal by Steven Stamkos at 8:32 of the first period.

The period would end with the Lightning leading 2-1. The Capitals outshot the Lightning 15-7 for the opening frame. Tampa Bay was 1 for 1 and the Capitals 0 for 3 on the power play in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would tie the game with a goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov at 5:18 of the middle frame. The goal was setup by a  beautiful feed from Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin and Tom Wilson were credited with the assists.

The Capitals were leading in shots on goal 23-8 with 8:50 left in the second period. The period would end with the game tied 2-2. The Capitals outshot the Lightning 14-6 in the middle frame, and led 29-13 after 40 minutes of play. Tampa Bay remained 1 for 1 and the Capitals were 0 for 4 on the man advantage.

THIRD PERIOD
The Lightning would take the lead with a goal from Alex Kilorn at 11:57 of the final frame. The goal came as a Lars Eller penalty was expiring.

The Lightning would add an empty net goal for the 4-2 win.

SHAVINGS

  • The Capitals outshot the Lightning 38-20.
  • Capitals’ are just 2-8 since 1987 when outshooting opponents by 18 or more at home (0-2 this year).
  • The power play was the difference: Tampa Bay was 1 for 2 while the Caps went 0 for 4.
  • Via assist tonight, Alex Ovechkin joins Sergei Fedorov (4), Evgeni Malkin (3) & Valeri Kamensky (2) as the only Russian-born players with multiple career 20+ point playoff seasons.
  • Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded his 10th goal of the postseason and extended his point streak to seven games (5g, 7a). Kuznetsov’s 21 points tie the Capitals’ all-time postseason mark set by Alex Ovechkin (21) in 2009. Additionally, Kuznetsov became the eighth Russian-born player to record double digits in goals for a single playoff year and the fifth to do it at 25 or younger.
  • With a helper on Dmitry Orlov’s 1-0 goal, Matt Niskanen ties Rod Langway for the 8th most career playoff assists by a defenceman in Capitals history (16).
  • Tonight’s attendance was 18,506, the Capitals 412th consecutive sellout at Capital One Arena.
  • The NHL box score is here.

SCENES FROM THE DISTRICT

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About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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