Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Tuesday 25 april 2017

Caps win tight series over Leafs

to set up rematch with Pens

STEPHEN WHYNO won the Presidents’ Trophy cerns by the play of Marc-
AP Hockey Writer with 118 points and the Andre Fleury.
On paper, it looked as if the Penguins had 111. Again a Vezina Trophy final-
Washington Capitals could “We know how good they ist after being the top goal-
cruise past the Toronto Ma- are,” Washington coach ie in the league last season,
ple Leafs as the Pittsburgh Barry Trotz said. “They Washington’s Braden Holt-
Penguins and Columbus knocked us out last year, by had an uneven series
Blue Jackets beat each so we get a chance to go against the Maple Leafs
other up on the other side back at them again.” in large part because of
of the bracket. So it’s Ovechkin vs. Sidney some wacky bounces and
On the ice, the series could Crosby for the third time in unpredictable play. Mid-
not have been more differ- their careers, which have series, Holtby worked on
ent. been linked since they en- body control and bounced
Hardly looking as good as tered the NHL together in back to allow just two goals
they did in the regular sea- 2005. Pittsburgh won the in the final two games of
son, the Capitals needed previous two meetings, the the series.
six one-goal games — five first in 2009, and went on to “You always say expect
of which went to overtime win the Cup each time. the unexpected and you
— to eliminate the up-and- Much like a year ago, the really have to reiterate it in
coming Maple Leafs. Capitals were tested in the those circumstances to just
“Give them credit, they first round — though this react,” Holtby said. “Don’t
battled hard,” Alex Ovech- time it was more Toronto’s guess, just react.”
kin said after a series that speed than Philadelphia’s There had been no guess-
was decided by two total physicality. The Capitals ing needed with the
goals and two shots sepa- scored 18 goals to the Ma- Capitals’ lineup down the
rated the teams. “They’re ple Leafs’ 16 and had one stretch, but an upper-body
young, but they’re strong. fewer shot (213-212) over injury knocked defense-
They have a very good fu- the course of the series. man Karl Alzner out for the
ture.” “They gave us everything final four games of the first Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) hits Toronto
Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) during the second period
The Capitals’ future is a re- they had, and we had to round and brought Nate of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff se-
match against the defend- work hard for it and we had Schmidt in. Schmidt saw as ries in Toronto on Sunday, April 23, 2017.
ing Stanley Cup champion to stick with it for a long much if not more ice time Associated Press
Penguins, who dispatched time,” said Johansson, who as trade-deadline acquisi- and an inexperienced, fenseman Kris Letang, but
the Blue Jackets in five and was one of the best Capi- tion Kevin Shattenkirk, and
have been waiting since tals players in the series but with skating expected to untested defense handled is still a formidable puck-
and thrived under the pres-
moving force and could
Thursday night. didn’t score until Game 6. be at a premium again ver-
After Washington finished “We’re ready (to face the sus Pittsburgh, the 25-year- sure. have veteran winger Chris
Toronto’s speed gave the Kunitz back.
off Toronto in overtime Penguins). We’re excited. old is a candidate to keep
Sunday night on Marcus We can’t wait to get go- playing. Capitals a nice test before “We’re going to concen-
facing the quick Penguins, trate and relax,” Ovechkin
Johansson’s second goal ing. We’ve worked hard for “He’s always an energy
of Game 6, it’s all set. The it. We’ve worked all year guy,” center Jay Beagle who used that element to said. “At the same time, we
eliminate Washington in know Pittsburgh is coming
Capitals and Penguins will and all summer to get back said. “He’s played great
meet in the second round into this position, and now all year. For him to come in six a year ago. Pittsburgh to town and it’s going to
doesn’t have injured de-
for the second consecutive we’re here.” and play like he’s been do- be crazy.”q
year with the winner again Meanwhile, those Penguins ing is no surprise to us.”
considered the favorite to again got through the first The play of the young Ma-
come out of the Eastern round in five games largely ple Leafs surprised every-
Conference. unscathed because even one, even though maybe
It’s a showdown of the top goaltender Matt Murray’s it shouldn’t. Rookie of the
two teams in the NHL this lower-body injury has been year finalist Auston Mat-
season after the Capitals shuffled to the back of con- thews scored four goals