John Carlson is well on his way to being a playoff hero for the Capitals -- I’m going to go ahead and put him in that category. Carlson’s goal on a delayed penalty with 1:22 remaining put that cap on furious third period comeback by the Capitals, in which they were able to finally tie the game only to see Tomas Plekanec put the Habs right back ahead once more.
We’ll be headed to overtime in Washington for the second straight game, and while Carlson has the big late minute goal its the amped up performance by Alex Ovechkin that has made the difference. He played much more aggressive, much more sure of himself and made one incredible pass to initially tie the game at 4-4. He suddenly has four points in the game, six shots and he’s showing the emotion this team needed him to have.
Not to pass over Andrei Kostitsyn, who has a hat trick and four points for the Canadiens, who have taken advantage of some absolutely horrendous defensive play by Mike Green and Jeff Schultz.
What has to be concerning for the Canadiens is how Jaroslav Halak suddenly looks very beatable, as he’s grown increasingly uncomfortable with the traffic in front that the Capitals are creating.