The Tampa Bay Lightning once again didn’t show up to this game. They continued to play sloppy and make bad choices. As for the Caps, they dominated play and took advantage of every PP they got. It was not a fun game to watch for the Bolts fans to watch as we all know this team is capable of beating the caps. Vasy also struggled again not making saves he can normally make’s. The Bolts are now down 2-0 and have their work cut out for them if they want to get back in this series. Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts once again got off to a terrible start in this one. The Caps put on immediate pressure, then Tom Willson deflected it right past Vasy to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. Luckily the Bolts quickly responded with a great shift. Stamkos had a few huge chances in front of the net but got hit hard and was turned away. Kuch got off a few chances of his own but Holtby stood tall. Both teams then fought back and forth in a hard fought battle but neither could get any major chances. Then on a play to the net Tom Wilson collided with Vasy and would be given 2 min for interference. After looking at replay it showed that Kunitz did give a light hook but it was not called. Either way, the Bolts would get a huge chance to tie this game on the power play. Just seconds into the power play Point put one right past Holtby to tie this game at 1! The Bolts would get another huge chance on the power play as Oshie got called for a high stick after what looked like he deflected a puck up high that then hit Victor Hedman. The Caps did everything they could to stop the Bolts but Stamkos rifled one from the right circle to give the Bolts a 2-1 lead. Both teams then went back and forth getting a few good chances. Vasy made some great saves as well to protect the Bolts 1 goal lead. Just before the period ended the Caps had a potential 2 on 1 but it was broken up by the Bolts. Sergachev then blocked a shot that put him in some pain, he would head to the locker room just before the period ended.

Goals: 2-1 Tampa Bay

Shots: 13-10 Tampa Bay

Second Period

Both teams got off to a great start in this one as they got some quick chances early. But it was the Caps who got the first goal of the period. McDonagh got caught up deep in the zone and the Caps came out on a 3 on 1. Smith-Pelly then buried one to tie this game at 2. The Bolts then put on a big push with a few huge chances from Tyler Johnson, one hit the post and the other just went wide and this game remained tied at 2. Things then got a little physical after a big hit from Kunitz. Both players involved in the scrum would get a roughing penalty so we would play 4 on 4. The Caps then got a big opportunity as Point’s stick broke and the Caps had a lot of time in the offensive zone, but Vasy came up big and made a huge save. The crowd was into it and things only got better from here. The Bolts top line then had another great shift with some high-quality scoring chances, but Holtby turned them away.  The Caps would then get their first PP of the night as Gourde was called for hooking. But Vasy and the Bolts PK unit stood tall and killed off the penalty keeping the game tied at 2. As time be began to wind down the Bolts would get another power play opportunity with Michal Kempny heading to the box for interference. Despite a few good chances the Bolts couldn’t cash in and the Caps got back to full strength. The Caps then made one last push as they dumped it in and chased it down. Stralman fell behind the net leaving Lars Eller wide open to put one in the back of the net and give the caps a 3-2 lead. Then in the final minute, the Bolts would take a tripping penalty as Vasy tried to set a pick but tripped a player in the process. The Caps then made them pay for it as Evgeny Kuznetsov threw one on net and it slipped past Vasy to make it 4-2 Caps. This was not the way Tampa wanted to end this period and would head into the final 20 down by 2.

Goals: 4-2 Washington

Shots: 23-21 Washington

Third Period

The Caps continued to dominate 5 on 5 play as they got chance after chance. The Bolts defense then tried to step up again but got caught and the Caps had a 2 on 1. Ovi made them pay as he put it in the back of the net with ease to make it 5-2 Caps. The Bolts continue to struggle and did not look like the Bolts we had seen all season. They would get another chance though as Michal Kempny cross-checked Paquette in the face and would get to sit in the box, but the Bolts were once again shut down and still looked just terrible. Things just got worse for the Bolts as Brett Connolly sniped one right past Vasy for a 6-2 lead. Things then got a little physical and both teams would get penalties making it 4on4. Neither team would benefit from the extra ice and we would get back to 5on5 hockey. Time would eventually wind down and this one was finally over giving the Caps a HUGE 2-0 lead heading into Washington.

Goals: 6-2 Washington

Shots: 35-34 Washington

3 Stars

1. Lars Eller (2G, 2A)
2. Evgeny Kuznetsov (1G, 2A)
3. Alex Ovechkin (1G, 1A)

Up Next and Final Strike

This was another terrible game from the Bolts and it’s really weird. This is a team that has dominated throughout the regular season and the playoffs but has just looked awful. it’s like a switch was flipped off and they haven’t switched it back on. The Bolts are making bad passes, getting caught in odd-man rushes, not shooting when they should and more. They can’t enter the zone and get to the net for second opportunities. The PK has also been terrible as they just can’t seem to put pressure on the other team. Vasy has not looked like himself either, while not everything has been his fault, he is missing saves he normally makes. The only positive has been the power play as they have looked good getting goals when they need to. With that said, someone needs to find that switch because this, not the Bolts team we know and love, and it’s tough to watch.

The Bolts will look to once again try and turn things around as they take on the Caps in game 3 Tuesday, May 15th at 8:00 PM