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Three Down, One to Go

NHL

After Monday night’s game, the Washington Capitals are one win away from the Stanley Cup. Winning Game 4 6-2, the Caps now lead the series 3-1. One more game and Washington will take home the Stanley Cup, yet there is plenty of time for the Vegas Golden Knights to catch up. These past two games were home games, yet the next game in the series will be held in Vegas, possibly giving the Knights a home-ice advantage. It’s an advantage that the Caps had the past two games in the series, including Monday night’s game.

First Period

The shot, or rather attempt, that foreshadowed the game for the Golden Knights occurred about six minutes in the first period. James Neal completely missed the Capitals’ empty net. Holtby was down and out, yet Neal was unable to give Vegas the lead. Less then 10 minutes later, T.J. Oshie cashes in on the team’s power play and gives the Caps the lead. With less than 10 minutes left in the first period, Tom Wilson, assisted by Kuznetsov, gives the Capitals a 2-0 lead. Finally, with 20.5 seconds remaining in the first period, Devante Smith-Pelly brings the game to 3-0.

Second Period

The Vegas Golden Knights came in strong at the beginning of the second period, but then went downhill after James Neal gets into the penalty box for slashing. With less than 10 minutes in the period, John Carlson scores his fifth goal of the playoffs. As a result of this goal, the Capitals lead the game 4-0.

At the end of the period, the Knights outshot Washington, 11-5, yet still had no goals.

Third Period

Nine minutes into the third period, the Knights finally manage to shoot one past Holtby. James Neal redeems himself from his mistake in the first period and squeezes the puck under the Capitals’ goalie, bringing the game to 4-1. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the third, Vegas is running out of time for a comeback. Reilly Smith scores and brings the score to 4-2.
After both Ryan Reaves and Tom Wilson go into the box, resulting in a four-on-four hockey game, Michal Kempny scores. The Capitals are now leading with 5-2. There are now less than three minutes left in the game, and it’s mayhem on the ice. Brett Connolly scores the last goal of the game, bringing the score to 6-2.

The Capitals win the fourth game in the series. After tonight, they are one win away from winning the Stanley Cup.

Goal Scorers

Washington Capitals: Brett Connolly, Devante Smith-Pelley, John Carlson, Tom Wilson, T.J. Oshie, Michal Kempny

Vegas Golden Knights: James Neal, Reilly Smith

The fifth game in the series will be held in Vegas, on Thursday, June 7th.