Final Score: Capitals 6 – Blue Jackets 3
Game Summary
Disappointing is the only way you can describe this series. The Jackets had a real shot at advancing and they gave it away. To go up 2-0 in the series and then to lose four straight games, including three at home, that’s a playoff heartbreak. Sure it’s only the first round, but Columbus is the only franchise in the NHL that has yet to make it past round one. This was their best opportunity and they let it slip.
Everything that could go wrong this series went wrong. The Jackets were unable to stay out of the box, they averaged 11:09 penalty minutes in the playoffs, well above their season average of 6:53. Sergei Bobrovsky didn’t have a good series, losing Alexander Wennberg was a big loss, the power play was no existent. I’m very curious to hear the reports about what injuries players were dealing with. Neither Artemi Panarin nor Zach Werenski was 100%. They were not their usual dynamic selves.
All the overtimes certainly didn’t help either. Washington had to play those games as well, but the Jackets were already so worn down from having to fight to get into the playoffs. The extra hockey looked like it affected them more.
As for this game it was disappointing as the Jackets played really well but couldn’t score. They had a great start. They were controlling the game, but they couldn’t get enough shots on net, as Washington was blocking everything. The Caps were opportunistic; they counter attacked very well and had the better scoring chances. They took advantage of a defensive miscue and took an early lead.
The Nick Foligno goal early in second was really the only part of the game where it felt the Jackets had a chance.
The Jackets were unable to string two goals together and couldn’t get themselves a lead. They made it close in the third period and then Bob let them down. He’s has to save the Devante Smith-Pelly goal and likely should have had the Chandler Stephenson short-handed goal as well. The Jackets are not in the playoffs without Bobrovsky, but they needed him to have his best game and he didn’t.
The Jackets scored the two goals they needed in the third, they just happened to have allowed three
You have to give credit to Washington they played well. They took advantage of their chances, especially on the power play. The Jackets experienced firsthand why it’s important to have good special teams. That needs to be one of the top priorities this off-season. Fixing both the power play and penalty kill.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of
Natural Stat Trick and
Hockey-Reference.
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