Caps-Habs Game 2

Tough way to open the night for the Caps. Down 0-1 within the first minute and 0-2 about seven minutes later, bringing a premature end to Theo's time in the goal for the game (and likely the rest of the playoffs). Fehr brings the Caps within one until Montreal gets their third goal in the second period.


The team is visibly deflated closing out period two. What happened to the swagger? Maybe the guys heard too many people predicting a sweep of the Habitants, and are absolutely stunned to look at the scoreboard to learn that Montreal didn't get the memo.
Going down 1-4 doesn't help. But we all know that Montreal's one advantage (on paper) comes on the power play, so, down one man, we kinda saw this one coming. (By the way, it sure seemed like the refs bent over backward to find a way to negate this Montreal goal. They know that Ovie in the playoffs translates to $$$. In the end though, they just couldn't do it.)
Backstrom keeps things from getting too embarassing with a rocket for the Caps' second goal. A subsequent slashing call puts Montreal in the penalty and brings the fans to their feet in the Verizon Center ... and the second period comes to an end.
Third opens with the Caps on the power play. No conversion but two minutes later OVIE! tastes first blood! At 3-4 the Caps are back in the hunt.
Caps feel the momentum on their side and get a sick assist from Ovie to Backstrom. All. Tied. Up.
And then it isn't. Montreal lets the air out of Verizon by going up 5-4.
A false glimmer of hope with the Caps being awarded a power play with under 5 to go. Poor passing results in no goals.
But with a slashing call on it's way, The Youngster! Carlson whips in the equalizer! Power play? We don't need no stinking power play!
Overtime. Again.
And 31 seconds in ... CAPS WIN! Backstrom hat trick!
Let's go to Canada!