Photo: Chase Agnello-Dean/NHL via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 (shootout) in their first postseason round robin game Monday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Capitals rallied from a 2-0 deficit to ultimately push the game to extra time. After a scoreless overtime period, Nikita Kucherov would pot the game-winning goal in the shootout. The Capitals earned a point and are currently third in the points standing for seeding. The Capitals next face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

STARTING LINES
Defenseman John Carlson was a late scratch. Carlson was injured in last weeks exhibition game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

FIRST PERIOD
The Lightning struck first late in the opening period on a filthy top-shelf snipe by Nikita Kucherov at 12:53 of the first frame. Brayden Point had the lone assist.

Ice level for 86’s goal 🚨#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/nZOPcsJFpo

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) August 3, 2020

The first period would end with the Bolts leading 1-0. The Lightning led in shot attempts 14-10 and shots on goal (SOG) 9-7 for the first frame. Washington was 0 for 1 on the power play while the Lightning did not have a man advantage.

SECOND PERIOD
The Lightning would stretch their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Mitchell Stephens at 7:48 of the middle frame. Victor Hedman had the lone assist.

Hard work pays off 👏 pic.twitter.com/sabz3ycRK1

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) August 3, 2020

The Capitals would finally get on the board with a dirty goal from Richard Panik (1) at 17:24 of the middle frame. Lars Eller (1) and Radko Gudas (1) had the helpers.

Knock knock it’s Panik at the door! pic.twitter.com/EMB2AVtRND

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 3, 2020

The Capitals would tie the game with a powerplay goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov (1) at 19:32 of the middle frame. Dmitry Orlov (1) and Nicklas Backstrom (1) had the assists.

Kuzy stuffs it! pic.twitter.com/Tgk3TLv8TY

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 3, 2020

The second period would expire with the game tied 2-2. The Lightning led in shot attempts 19-16 with the Capitals leading in SOG 12-8.

THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals and Lightning skated the final frame to a scoreless draw. The Capitals led in shots on goal 11-8 and 19-14 in shot attempts.

The Capitals were 1 for 3 on the power play. The Lightning did not have a power play in the game.

OVERTIME/SHOOTOUT
The five-minute 3-on-3 extra frame went scoreless. Both teams had 3 shots on goal.

Shootout:
Round 1: Lightning: Hedman: No Good; Capitals: Oshie: Good
Round 2: Lightning: Point: Good; Capitals: Kuznetsov: No Good
Round 3: Lightning: Kucherov: Good; Capitals: Backstrom: No Good

SHAVINGS

• The Capitals led in SOG 33-28 for the game. The Lightning led in shot attempts 47-45.
• Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Evgeny Kuznetsov led the Capitals in shots with 3.
• The Capitals were 1 for 4 on the power play. Tampa Bay did not have a power play.
• The Lightning won the faceoff battle 52-48%.
• Braden Holtby stopped 26 of 28 shots faced for a .929 game save percentage.
• Evgeny Kuznetsov tied the game with a power play goal. He’s now one goal shy of passing Dale Hunter (25) for the fourth most playoff goals in franchise history.
• With an assist on the Capitals’ second goal, Dmitry Orlov passed Al Iafrate (16) for the 11th most playoff points by a defenseman in franchise history. Additionally, Orlov has now recorded a point in three straight playoff games (3a).
• Richard Panik cut Tampa’s lead to 2-1. From Dec. 14 to the conclusion of the season this year, Panik recorded 20 points (7g, 13a) in 36 games. All 20 of his points came at even strength, which was tied for 69th in the NHL.
• The goal was Panik’s first career postseason goal.
• Radko Gudas recorded the primary assist on the Capitals’ first goal. It marks Gudas’ second career playoff point and his first since 2014, when he recorded an assist against the Montreal Canadiens a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

By Jon Sorensen

SCENES FROM TORONTO

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