Capitals’ defense is fueling success
ARLINGTON, Va. — Of all the ways the Capitals have tried to win in the playoffs, none has been as effective as this.
They pushed the pace with speed and skill when Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom were part of the “Young Guns.” They made every game a coin flip with tight, Dale Hunter hockey. Each time, an early exit followed.
This year is different. Suddenly, the Capitals are a suffocating defensive team that clogs the middle of the ice and makes even the fastest of opponents look slow.
The Vegas Golden Knights are the latest team to be frustrated by Washington’s neutralzone pressure. After it cruised through three rounds with ease, Vegas is finding that nothing is easy in the Finals, as Washington has mastered the art of frustration. As a result, the Capitals lead the series 2-1 heading into Monday’s Game 4.
“Offensive teams have certain tendencies, certain routes that they take through the neutral zone, plays they like to make, so if you can be on top of them and turn over some pucks, stifle them, make it hard for them to gain entry with possession, that frustrates skilled players,” Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen said Sunday. “If you can be in their face, just standing in the way, it’s amazing what that does.”
Washington’s transformation began after head coach Barry Trotz challenged players late in the regular season to embrace this approach.
It was clear as early as Game 4 of the first round that the 1-1-3 trap in the neutral zone had the ability to slow the opposing attack, and since the first two
playoff games, Washington is 10-2 when scoring first.
The Golden Knights have found how difficult it is to come back against the Capitals.
“Our guys who have a lot of speed can go back deeper, gather some speed,” Vegas wing David Perron said. “Then the defensemen can try to freeze the first forechecker, kick it wide. These guys coming with speed, if they’re confronted, which they will be most times at the blue line, you can put it in and go on the forecheck.
“You can have guys hang close to the right wing or up top, and as the puck is coming your way, win the one-on-one battle with support . ... We also have to try to not let them set up, so if there’s a turnover, a quick one, we can punt it up, go back on offense.”
The Penguins and Lightning tried that in the Eastern Conference playoffs and couldn’t crack the Capitals enough to advance.
“They’re really good at slowing you down,” Tampa Bay forward J.T. Miller said during the East finals. “Right when you want to just chip it and go, there’s a guy, there’s a wall there, and guys are ready to go back and get it on the other side . ... They do a good job of staying in front and retrieving pucks.”