LEAFS GET OFF TO QUICK START, BUT CAN’T FINISH CAPS
Wilson’s goal in overtime caps off 3-2 comeback effort for Washington in Game 1
As playoff lessons go, this one stung the Toronto Maple Leafs’ student body like a 49 per cent exam mark.
Getting up 2-0 early on the first place Washington Capitals was just what they thought themselves capable of in this unexpected playoff sequel to their turnaround season. But holding that lead in a hostile venue is quite another step.
“We’re not going away,” defenceman Jake Gardiner vowed. “They’re a heck of a team, but we’re not slouches, either.”
It was not Leaf killers such as Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom or stingy goaltender Braden Holtby who decided the game, but seven-goal rogue Tom Wilson with an innocent-looking short-sider at 5:15 of overtime that gave Washington a 3-2 win.
Washington did expose the thin Leafs blue-line. Toronto had to press injury replacement Martin Marincin into service.
Dealing with the noise at the start of the game at the Verizon Center and the aftermath of the Caps’ comeback turned out to be more manageable than many thought. Toronto closed ranks to kill a Matt Martin penalty late in the second and plugged its ears as sustained pressure brought the barn volume to its loudest.
“I think they thought that was fun,” Babcock said of his rookies. “We didn’t want us watching them (in awe). We have good players, we’re allowed to play high level hockey. If you’re Auston Matthews (18 minutes), Mitch Marner (game-opening goal) or William Nylander (four of Toronto’s 37 shots on goal), just play.
“It was a confidence builder for sure. We found out we could skate with them, that their defence give the puck back (when pressured). We had so many chances to shoot and we tried passing it into the net. I thought Wilson did a good job for them just turning and throwing it on net. That’s playoff hockey. Things bounce.”
Frederik Andersen’s 41 saves were marred by losing sight of the second of two Justin Williams goals, getting out of his crouch after he thought a puck was loose. Williams had an easy five-hole tap-in.
“We showed we could play with these guys,” Andersen said. “We have to come back (Game 2 is in Washington Saturday) and play the same way and better. We did a lot of good things, had a great first period. There was just a oneshot difference.”
The Leafs’ bad luck in overtime followed them into playoffs. But despite nine Leafs playing in their first NHL playoff milieu, it was the Caps who looked like puck-fumbling first timers much of the opening period, dumping into No Man’s Land and not picking up their man as the quicker Leafs snuck in behind.
Exactly the seed of doubt the Leafs hope to plant in the minds of the underachieving springtime squad.
“The first 30 minutes, I’m not happy about, nor was anyone in our room,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “They came at us with a good game plan, got on our defence and we gave them easy access to pucks. (But) we didn’t have any panic. To me, this was a really good wake-up call.”
Tyler Bozak swept around the net and centred to an uncovered Marner, then several unforced errors later, Kevin Shattenkirk’s poor clear went right to Gardiner. His wrist shot struck T.J, Oshie’s stick and beat Holtby, who claimed Nazem Kadri somehow interfered with him. An incredulous Babcock couldn’t invoke his coach’s challenge fast enough and the 2-0 goal stood.
Washington snipers fanned or broke sticks on a 5-on-3 until Williams finally scored in the dying seconds with Brian Boyle already out of the box. They beat the Leafs at Verizon for the eighth straight time, but Toronto did blank Ovechkin’s line and rattled Holtby, who came in with a sparkling .937 playoff save percentage in 46 career games.
“We understand what it feels like now and that’s why it’s important we leave here 1-1,” Babcock said.
While many lamented the Leafs losing their last game and not drawing the Senators in the first round, Babcock saw the silver lining. Instead of opening on Wednesday, his newbies had a chance to watch other teams get their baptism on TV.
“I always like to start the second night,” he said before Thursday’s game. “It’s important for your players, who get to watch how hard everyone plays, and how little room there is, how the game works.”
Now they know.