That’s good news for the Lightning, who finally flexed their offensive muscle in a Game 6 blowout of the Red Wings to send their series into the deciding game. It’s not such great news for the Islanders who — in part because of their toothless 11-shot showing — were eliminated by the Capitals and rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov’s game-deciding goal with 7:18 to play. With it, the Capitals move on to write the next chapter in their postseason rivalry with the Rangers in Round 2.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEWS: Flames vs. Ducks | Blackhawks vs. Wild
Capitals 2, Islanders 1 (Washington wins series 4-3)
Takeaway: The Islanders were historically bad. Their 11 shots on goal were the fewest by a team in a Game 7 in NHL history. Five of those were from defenseman Johnny Boychuk. Only three came from Islanders forwards. That didn’t include Isles captain John Tavares, who was held without a shot in 20:44 of ice time. Give credit to the Capitals, who have seemingly turned a corner defensively with coach Barry Trotz at the helm. It was on full display.
Quotables: Trotz on changing the culture of Washington sports teams: “All that old stuff? Get rid of it. Let’s build something. We could feel energy (from fans). We weren’t going to let that game go.”
Kuznetsov on his winning goal: “It was unbelievable. If you’ve never played the hockey, you’ve never feel this. I don’t know how to say. I’m so excited.”
Highlight: The Isles’ defensive breakdown on this play is every coach’s worst nightmare, especially with seven minutes left in a Game 7. Kuznetsov takes advantage and then some.
Next up: The Capitals advance to the second round, where they’ll play the Rangers.
PHOTOS: Stanley Cup gallery | Nassau Coliseum memories
Lightning 5, Red Wings 2 (Series tied 3-3)
Takeaway: Tyler Johnson has almost single-handedly kept the Lightning in this series. He now has six goals in six games. The rest of the Lightning forwards have six combined. That doesn’t include Steven Stamkos, who scored 43 goals in the regular season but has none so far in the series. To be fair, Stamkos did play better Monday, with four shots and an assist in 13:38. But after his second two-goal performance, it’s the red-hot Johnson who the Bolts will be looking to in Game 7.
The Red Wings may be shorthanded for the series’ final game. Niklas Kronwall went high with a second-period hit on Nikita Kucherov, who remained down for several moments. Kronwall wasn’t penalized on the play and Kucherov returned to the game, but the NHL’s review of the hit could still produce a suspension.
Quotable: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, interrupting a question about confidence in Petr Mrazek playing his first Game 7: “Their goalie or ours are you talking about?” Mrazek and Lightning goalie Ben Bishop are playing in their first playoff series.
Highlight: He may have allowed four goals, but if not for Mrazek, this one would have been out of hand much sooner. Mrazek’s magic started with an incredible lunging stick save on Brian Boyle. Unsatisfied, he later stoned Steven Stamkos. Mrazek finished with 23 saves on 27 shots.
Next up: Wednesday at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN
Three stars
- Nikita Kucherov, F, Lightning: If not for Johnson, everyone would be talking about Kucherov’s performance in Game 6. He had four shots on net, four hits and assisted on each of the Lightning’s first three goals.
2. Tyler Johnson, F, Lightning: Johnson’s two-goal performance was his second of this series.
1. Evgeny Kuznetsov, F, Capitals: Kuznetsov, playing in his first postseason, now has three goals after he scored the game-deciding goal.
Injury report
Shea Weber, D, Predators: Weber underwent surgery last week to repair a dislocated kneecap, he told reporters Monday during the team’s locker cleanout day. Recovery time is expected to be 4 to 6 weeks. He missed the final four games of the Preds’ first-round loss to the Blackhawks.
