SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Allen and Martin Rogers break down how the Washington Capitals evened the series with the Vegas Golden Knights. USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS — Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik wasn’t available for postgame interviews because he was in the training room getting a wound stitched up.
It was a fitting end to the day for Orpik and the Capitals, who had to push themselves to the limit to claim a 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights and tie the best-of-seven series 1-1 heading back to Washington for Game 3 on Saturday.
“He’s one of those old-school, ultimate pro guys,” Capitals forward T.J. Oshie said. “I’ve only played with three or four of those guys. To see him rewarded on the score sheet was exciting to me.”
The rugged, feisty Orpik scored what proved to be the game-winning goal. It was only his third career playoff goal in 146 games and his first goal overall since February 2016. He also posted six hits, two blocked shots and was instrumental in helping Washington kill off a Vegas 5-on-3 power play in third period. Potting a goal was just a bonus.
“I’m not joking here – he has a history of scoring some big ones,” Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “Good for him to jump up in there and fire with confidence.”
Washington coach Barry Trotz described Orpik as a player “that analytics and stats aren’t kind to.”
But Orpik is one of the team’s most respected leaders. He competes as hard as anyone in the Stanley Cup Final.
This was the first Stanley Cup Final win in Washington franchise history, and it came on a night when they lost top point producer Evgeny Kuznetsov to injury after a heavy hit from Brayden McNabb.
The Capitals offered no update on Kuznetsov’s condition, but Trotz made it clear that he expected the NHL to review the hit.
“It was one of those things that galvanized our team,” Trotz said.
Center Lars Eller stepped up and generated a goal and two assists, penalty killers, particularly Orpik and Niskanen, killed off that 5-on-3 power play for 68 seconds. Alex Ovechkin, who has been delivering strong performances throughout the playoffs, scored an important power-play goal.
This Super Understudy role isn’t new for Eller. He rose up and played above his station when Nicklas Backstrom was injured earlier in the playoffs. The Capitals and Eller also showed resourcefulness when Tom Wilson was suspended for three games.
“He elevates his game when we need it,” Trotz said.
Still, the Capitals needed a save of the century from Braden Holtby who reached across with his stick to rob Alex Tuch with 1:59 remaining in the game. It was one of 37 saves.
NBCSN captured Alex Ovechkin sitting on the bench looking like the most relieved man in Nevada after the Holtby stop.
The important thing for the Capitals is they have broken the Golden Knights’ spell. Everyone was talking about the expansion franchise and how it seemed like a team of destiny. Have the Capitals just planted a seed of doubt?
Washington has its own momentum. The Capitals have proved they are no longer the Capitals of old who couldn’t win important games in the playoffs. Ovechkin has played inspirational hockey and his teammates seem to be following his lead. Maybe the Capitals, not the Golden Knights, are the team of destiny.
“We showed,” Eller said, “we can even win even without our best players.”
