The shock will linger throughout the spring and long into the summer. The Capitals – No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Presidents’ Trophy winners and one of the favorites to skate away with the Stanley Cup — are finished after just one round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Marc-Andre Bergeron scored late in the first period, Dominic Moore scored late in the third period and goalie Jaroslav Halak put together another fine performance with 41 saves as the Montreal Canadiens — the No. 8 seed and a prohibitive underdog — erased a 3-1 series deficit and eliminated Washington from the playoffs with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night at Verizon Center.
It is the fourth time in franchise history the Caps have blown a 3-1 series advantage and this one left the sellout crowd stunned. Montreal became just the ninth No. 8 seed to knock off a No. 1 since the NHL’s playoff format changed to a conference-based system in 1994. It happened last year as well when No. 1 San Jose lost to No. 8 Anaheim in the Western Conference quarterfinals.
» Montreal advanced to the second round, where it will play the No. 4 seed – and defending Stanley Cup champion – Pittsburgh Penguins.
» Washington is 1-3 in Game 7s the last three seasons – each played at Verizon Center. Lone win came April 28, 2009 against New York Rangers.
» The Caps are now 2-7 all time in Game 7s – with all but one of those games played at home.
“When you have a 3-1 lead in a series you think there’s no way you’re going to drop three straight,” said Caps forward Mike Knuble. “Especially with two of those games at home. It’s most disappointing for a team that is known for its goal scoring.”
The Caps managed just three goals over the final three games and were outscored 9-3 in the first period during this series. That included the first tally on Wednesday when Bergeron hammered a shot past rookie goalie Semyon Varlamov, who finished with 14 saves on just 16 shots. That goal came during a 4-on-3 power play with just 29.1 seconds left in the period and was set up when Washington defenseman Mike Green committed a cross-checking penalty during a rush into the offensive zone. The two teams were playing 4-on-4 at the time.
“He deserved it,” Caps coach Bruce Boudreau lamented. “It wasn’t a smart play by Mike.”
The Caps’ power-play woes continued one final time. They couldn’t convert on back-to-back chances in the second period and still trailed 1-0 after two despite out-shooting Montreal 24-11. That left Washington 1-for-32 in the series with the man-advantage. They finished the night 0-for-3 and 1-for-33 overall – a disastrous performance by the NHL’s top unit during the regular season.
“We had a power play this year that — after October — was going close to 30 percent for the rest of the year and we were 1-for-33,” Boudreau said. “I would have bet everything that couldn’t be done. And it was.”
The Caps looked to have the game tied early in the third period when Ovechkin whipped a shot past Halak from the left wing. But the referee waved off the goal, ruling Knuble was in the crease. Overhead replays showed he had a skate blade in the blue paint and may have made slight contact with Halak. But Washington was still incensed that the goal was waved off.
“That’s a violation that hasn’t been called all year,” Knuble said. “I felt all night I wasn’t a crease presence, as far as being in the blue paint. I was right on the edge where I should be and we talked about it, the referee and I. I haven’t seen the replay yet, but that’s something weird. You haven’t seen it all year and now it comes out in Game 7.”
Montreal garnered some insurance when Moore beat Varlamov with 3:36 left. Many in the crowd became to flee for the exits. But Caps forward Brooks Laich did answer just 80 seconds later, setting up a wild finish. Montreal was whistled for a penalty at 18:16 — a high-sticking penalty on defenseman Ryan O’Byrne — and the Caps played the rest of the game with a 6-on-4 advantage. But three or four quality chances, including one by Jason Chimera in the slot, missed the mark. Just like that the game and the season were over.
“If someone came to your work and stepped on your desk or punched you in the head that’s how I feel,” Chimera said. “You come for a long playoff run and it doesn’t happen it’s tough. Right now, it’s weird.”
