Commuting with the fans
Capitals Oshie and Niskanen get up close and personal on subway ride to Game 3
Forward T.J. Oshie and defenceman Matt Niskanen of the Washington Capitals surprised commuters on Saturday when they left their cars at home and took the subway to work.
Based on the results in Saturday’s Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final — won by the Caps 3-1 over the Vegas Golden Knights to take a 2-1 series — it could be something if they try the subway again for Game 4 tonight. Just don’t ask them what stop they got on or even what line they happened to be riding. “Orange or silver,” said Niskanen. “I don’t want to give away our location, but there’s a stop somewhat near our house, and we live in the state of Virginia.” The pair, who said they were hoping to avoid traffic, got an upclose and personal experience with several fans. They might have even made a cameo in a “pump-up video” on the playoffs.
“It was great. It was actually really easy for us to get down there,” said Oshie. “The fans seemed very excited, but were also very respectful and kind of just wished us luck along the way. The closer we got, the more fans got on and it was cool to see. I think we actually got on some TV or someone was doing some type of simulated Caps march and we happened to be walking right behind the march so we might be in some type of ‘pump-up video’ or something. It was fun. It was a different way of getting there. I’ve never gone that way before. Pretty simple.”
DON’T BLAME SHEA
Vegas defenceman Shea Theodore, who made two costly mistakes that directly led to a couple of Washington goals in Game 3, took the blame for the 3-1 loss on Saturday. But a day later, head coach Gerard Gallant made a point of coming to the rookie’s defence. “Shea’s a 22-year-old kid who I love. He’s a great player. “He’s going to be a star in this league.”
The fans seemed very excited, but were also very respectful and kind of just wished us luck along the way ... It was cool.
DMITRY DOES DEFENCE
Washington’s Dmitry Orlov has gone six games without a point, but the offensive-minded defenceman has shown a different side to his game with his defensive acumen. Playing alongside Niskanen, the pair are a combined plus-12 in the playoffs while getting some of the tougher matchups.
“I think he’s had a really good year to be honest with you,” defenceman Brooks Orpik said of the 26-year-old. “(Orlov) is probably a little bit more flashy than (Niskanen), but they’re both very efficient.’’
SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE
Happy. Sad. Angry. Relieved. Alex Ovechkin’s emotions have been on full display during these playoffs. And it’s something coach Barry Trotz said the rest of the team feeds off.
“You could probably do a documentary just on the different emotions he’s had throughout all these series,” said Trotz. “It’s actually great to see. In this game, we sometimes become a little bit muted because of things that are said or are taken out of context and to see a guy just leave his emotions out there, I think that’s refreshing to you people and to the human spirit.’’