Calls made, and not made, and the ensuing results are tipping the balance of the postseason. The spotlight is on referees and linesmen for the impact they’re having on the way to some team lifting the Stanley Cup.
The NHL received approval from the Canadian government to allow for cross-border travel for the final two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs as needed, the league announced Sunday.
On Sunday, the Capitals were again shown the playoff door early, this time with their Barry Trotz replica, Peter Laviolette. Laviolette is a veteran, Stanley Cup-winning coach who gladly took the top-tier money that Ted Leonsis and his brain trust could have — and should have — paid Trotz.
Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov will play for Team Russia at the World Championship, but Alex Ovechkin wasn’t included in the squad due to injury.
With the 4-1 series defeat to Boston, Washington lost its third straight first-round playoff matchup since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Boston, buoyed by two scores right out of the second intermission, handed Washington its third straight loss of the series — this time a 4-1 game that gave the Bruins a 3-1 series lead.
The Capitals have used three different starting goaltenders in the first three games of the series against the Bruins. Game 4 is an opportunity for some stability, with Ilya Samsonov and Craig Anderson the two likely suspects to earn the start.
Evgeny Kuznetsov confirmed Thursday that he tested positive for the coronavirus a second time. Kuznetsov was placed on the coronavirus protocol list on May 4, after already spending time on the list early in the season.
Craig Smith’s goal, taking advantage of the misplay between Samsonov and Schultz, secured the Bruins a 3-2 double-overtime victory and gave Boston a 2-1 series advantage.
