Follow @james_tanner123 The Capitals lost game one, but more importantly, it was a fun game to watch.
The NHL is beset by the problem of terrible games with no lead changes, fun or exiting plays. The Knights are actually a fun team to watch because they're quick and you can cheer for a lot of their players - guys like Nate Schmidt, the ex-Cap who never got a fair shake in Washington.
But last night's game was awesome. Nine goals (ten if you count the empty netter) some of them even pretty sweet.
This was a nice change of pace, and somewhat predictable, since neither Marc Andre Fleury or Braded Holtby can be expected to maintain their preposterous levels of greatness so far exhibited in these here playoffs.
Smart Asses pointing out that the Knights have now one more Stanley Cup games than the Toronto Maple Leafs have over the last fifty years are not clever or funny. You're cheap shot artists and you're just kicking a dead horse.
And speaking of cheap shot artists, I'm the first guy to call for a ten game suspension and the end of fighting, but the Knights whining about Tom Wilson last night sounded like pathetic little babies.
Sorry if that's offensive to babies.
But give me a break. Of course the hit looks bad in superslow motion. But if you hit a guy a while he's watching his pass, and you don't hit him in the head, and he's not brutally disfigured or anything, then it's two minutes for interference.
This is a league, remember, where if you take a delayed penalty, you are free to do as many cross-checks to the neck as you want without getting another one. No two man advantages in the playoffs, so once that arm goes up, go ____ nuts.
So Tom Wilson won't be getting suspended. He shouldn't even be fined and I shouldn't even have to defend him. It was a two minute penalty and he served it.
Whining aside, the Capitals played a pretty good game.
The Knights outshot them, but the shot attempts were even, and the Capitals had a couple more scoring chances. Pretty much an even game - and what do you know, each team scored four goals 5v5.
A first period power-play was the difference. And Lars Eller missed an open net with 40 seconds left.
Both goalies should have played better, but we're talking about a one goal game and a total coin flip, so advantage home team.
And seriously what the _____________ was with that pre-game show? What an absolute embarrassment of garbage. I get that you're VEGAS so you have to be all theatrical and over the top, but how about you drop the GD puck sometime before 10:30?
Personally, I would like it if the NHL skipped the anthems, skipped the spectacle and started the game on time. I do not need to be entertained by so called celebrities from 15 years ago. I am not interested in magic. I am here for hockey.
If a pre-game celebration is needed, it should be a couple quick songs by a band from my pre-approved list. I would prefer War on Drugs, but I'd settle for Vampire Weekend or a reformed REM.
Overall, good game, better blog.
Go Tanner!
I mean Caps.