Stanley Cup Game 3 Review

Written By: Mitch McCombs

June 4th, 2018

Capitals Press Home Ice, Holtby Works Some Magic In Net

Vegas fell yet again to the Capitals in game 3 with a 3-1 loss. They had good chances all night but the Capitals  held them by blocking their shots and Holtby, again, had an outstanding game. The Knights defense didn’t help Fleury during the 2nd period allowing 14 shots on goal.

The Capitals outshot the Knights for the first time this series with 26 shots and the Knights surprisingly only got 22 shots on net. The Caps completely dominated in the blocked shots category with 26 blocked shots when the Knights had only 9. Kuznetsov was a big part of this win, after being questionable to play this game and nobody expected him to play. He finished this game with a goal and an assist. Early in the game they had scored a goal but it was waved off because of goaltender interference, with Devante Smith-Pelly barreling into Fleury, taking him out of a save opportunity, and putting Vegas on the power play. Washington’s penalty kill was amazing again this game, as they have been the entire series, but their power play didn’t convert on their 5 chances this game.

Vegas just got outworked. They only received 22 shots this game,  and this is the only time they’ve had less than 30 shots this series. The first line did a better job this game, with Riley Smith and Johnathan Marchessault hitting the post in the first period which would have put them up 2-0 if they would’ve made those shots. This game, they only had 7 giveaways while the Capitals had triple that with 21. Fleury played out of his mind and tried to keep them in the game the best he could. They also did terribly on the faceoff, only winning 37.1% of them. 

The Knights need to make some changes if they want to win this series. The defense also needs to help out Fleury. He’s been standing on his head trying to keep them in these games. If the Capitals want to win this series they need to keep playing like they have been, holding the Knights to few opportunities and pressuring their defense to force the Knights to make mistakes. If the Knights make the changes they need to make, this series will be still be close and exciting to watch.