3:37: Halfway through the 1st PD and we have the 2nd penalty of the game, 1st against the Caps. You can imagine my disbelief, that one of the Caps exquisite defensemen (Mike Green) made in fact a poor play, leading to a hooking penalty.
3:40: Ladies and gents, the gang is back - Backstrom is back on line w/ Ovechkin. If Dale Hunter pulls the trigger and lines them up w/ Semin at some point, I'm gonna ask for them to cue the NWO music.
3:42: BTW, that line just generated another penalty against the Bruins with 7 mins to play in the first. I'm trying to temper myself.
3:43: Really not fair to be facing a guy that's basically Dirk Nowitzki on skates ... who also happens hold a howitzer for a slapshot (i.e. Chara). Gonna be interesting if Dale can match the lines and get Ovie on against the other lines. Anyway, power play ends w/o a strike.
3:49: Replays of Gm 1 and Chris Kelly's game winner on Thursday. A quick reminder of Braden Holtby's biggest strength and greatest weakness as the Caps' netminder: Way too overaggressive in the 1-on-1. As my buddy Ice noted the other night, he was WAY out of net to challenge Kelly on the breakaway. Left a lot of net open. Something to watch.
3:52: Under 2 mins to play in the PD. BTW, I probably would have started in time for the puck drop but I had to fry an egg. Not to get into too much detail but I'm basically eating the equivalent of five crackers and rabbit food each day, so every meal counts. A lot. I'll try not to pass out before the end of the game.
3:55: Scoreless after one. Shots even between the teams, and some solid scoring opportunities for both. I'm going to stop staring at this apple.
4:00: Good points by Mike Milbury re. the Caps' 2nd power play. He's still an asshole.
4:13: Onto the second period. Second line is out to start the period. An apple to keep me upright.
4:14: Ovechkin w/ a nice chance on a Bruins' turnover in their defensive zone. Bruins return the favor w/ a flurry on the other end. Brad Marchand (your favorite Beantown midget) camped out in front and drew a crosscheck from Hamrlik. Refs don't buy Roman's argument that, 'he's an asshole, he started it'. Two minutes for the Caps to kill.
4:19: A few close calls but Caps escape the minor penalty unscathed.
4:22: Stop in play after the Bruins are called for icing w/ just over 13 mins to play in PD 2. Before that, a brief sighting of the artist formerly known as Alex Semin. He of course was replaced by his equally well known counterpart: Playoff Semin.
4:24: Still no score. A glance at Jeff Schultz, after he was nearly decapitated earlier in the period. Apparently his best defense is his face. Either way, it was his best defensive play all year.
4:27: I should be more sympathetic to athletes of 'limited stature'. But unfortunately, Brad Marchand plays for Boston. As such, I'm hoping someone mistakes him for the puck and flings him into the netting.
4:30: Halfway point of the game. Bruins snap off a shot, while Holtby does his best impression of a wall. Impressive doesn't do him justice through the first five periods of this series.
4:33: As if on cue, Marchand launches himself and his stick into John Carlsson's face. Two minutes for Mini-Me as the Caps go on the PP.
4:34: Ovie is tripped coming across the blue line. Incredulous.
4:35: Good passing along the perimeter by the Caps and a few good shots but no dice. Greenie looking more and more like himself, esp. on the PP. The republic is pleased.
4:41: CAPS SCORE. Great pass in front by Ovechkin under duress. Brouwer does the rest banging it in on the second try. 1-0 Cappers.
4:48: Through two, Caps lead 1-0. CASHEWS AND WATER TIME!
5:03: Still intermission. And cashews are still delicious.
5:05: Third period underway. Side note: It's a really nice day out. Fat chance I get back out there to enjoy it. I hate allergies.
5:08: Few shots through four minutes. Pretty physical game as Ovie lines up a Bruin in open ice. There will be blood.
5:10: A flurry in front of the Caps' net. Shots still pretty even but Boston spending a lot of time in the offensive zone.
5:12: Thirteen minutes to play and the zebras swallow their whistle as Semin got clipped moving into the offensive zone. Meanwhile, Marchand continues agitating. If he's not pissing off the Caps, he's pissing me off.
5:15: Speaking of Marchand, haven't seen a more irritating pre-pubescent runt since King Joffrey on Game of Thrones.
5:19: A ho-hum opportunity for the NWO line (i.e. Ovie/Backstrom/Semin). Bad pass by Backstrom, equally bad pass by Ovie on a timing play. Bruins clear. Bleh.
5:20: Stop in play and it's commercial time. ESPN's Michelle Beadle pops up in this Bridgestone ad. She's a sports fan, and she watches wrestling. Heart be still
5:23: Bad sequence. Holtby again gets beat coming way out of net to address the puck and got hammered in the process. Tied at 1. Distraught.
5:26: Just under six mins to play. Pretty consistent theme this year, as the Caps sat back trying to protect their lead, rather than extend it. The defense hasn't improved enough where they can rely on the D to salt the game away. I need an adult beverage.
5:32: No one loses an edge or misses a 'gimme' pass like Dennis Wideman.
5:34: Less than two to play. Boston trying to send a message, roughing up Backstrom in front of the Boston net. I'm expecting some measure of a response when this series comes to DC.
5:37: Seconds tick off, no game-winning tally in the 3rd. Extra hockey. Go time.
5:53: Bruins win the faceoff to start OT and already Holtby has made two stops in the extra frame. Semin gets a chance himself but fires wide. I'm having palpitations.
5:59: Five minutes gone in OT and the Bruins are turning up the pressure. Oddly enough, Semin has been all over the ice on D. Playoff Semin seems to be out having a smoke.
6:02: Lots of back and forth, you'd think they were playing 4 on 4. Anyone else's palms a little sweaty?
6:04: I might need a valium.
6:05: On a long pass, Aucoin had a chance to go 1 on 1 to win it for the Caps and then ... lost an edge and fell down. Alcohol, stat.
6:08: Fresh ice as we're through 10 mins in the extra frame. Thirty seconds later, Beagle puts a silly one on net that Thomas gloves with little fanfare. Speaking of Tim Thomas, I hate his Freddy Mercury mustache. YOU'RE NOT FREDDY, TIMMY.
6:13: FUUUUUUUUURIOUS activity in front of the Boston net. Beagle is stopped, loose puck, Alzner fires one off that Thomas nabs out of the air. Meanwhile, I'm blasting "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen.
6:17: This is easily the most I've seen of Jay Beagle all season. Glad I will have something else to remember him by, other than getting decked by Aaron Asham at the start of the season.
6:22: This is an amazing game BTW. Staring double OT in the face right now.
6:23: I hate the stress of sports. Four periods away, still notched at 1. Pizza sounds amazing right now.
6:41: Second OT is going.
6:42: SECOND OT IS OVER. Backstrom with an ABSOLUTE RIP to beat Thomas stick side. 2-1 FINALMENTE. Caps win.
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