The intriguing Capitals/Golden Knights series has already seen 15 goals scored, which is the most combined goals in the first two games of the Cup Final since 1982 when the Canucks and Islanders tallied 21.
The offensive output is a bit surprising, but it’s been that spectacular save by Braden Holtby late in Game Two that has taken up the early headlines.
You’ve likely seen it countless times by now, with Holtby diving to his right stopping Alex Tuch’s point-blank shot with his stick to preserve the 3-2 victory.
Holtby, a leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy should Washington win the Cup, has turned into an interesting story.
Remember, he was benched for the first two games of the playoffs, and was only given a chance to get his job back after Philipp Grubauer faltered against Columbus.
Perhaps the pressure was lessoned, but the 28-year-old, who played three seasons with the Saskatoon Blades, appears to be in a comfort zone.
One may find it hard to believe, but Holtby owns the fifth lowest playoff goals-against-average (GAA) in NHL history with a 2.04 mark.
The only goalies better than that with minimum 50 games played are George Hainsworth (1.93), Turk Broda (1.98), Martin Brodeur (2.02), and Dominik Hasek (2.02).
Holtby’s all-time save-percentage (SV%) of .929 is third overall (minimum 20 games) alongside Craig Anderson, and back of Tim Thomas (.933), and Jonas Hiller (.930).
The NHL didn’t start keeping track of SV% until 1982-83.
In a #StanleyCup Final game, every save is important.
But this one from @Holts170 is just insane. That’s your @GatoradeCanada Cool Under Pressure Play of the Night. pic.twitter.com/mJctieWIgm
— NHL (@NHL) May 31, 2018
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Have you noticed something has greatly been lacking in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs?
The NHL went the entire month of May without an overtime game, bringing the streak to 22 consecutive post-season games that have not gone beyond regulation time.
In the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, there were 18 overtime games, in just the first round, and 27 total OT games, one short of the record set in 1993.
This year, with anywhere from three to five games left, there have been just 10 overtime games, and none since April 30th.
There were five overtime games in the first round (four of them involving Washington and Columbus), and five more in round two (two of them involving Vegas and San Jose).
Overall, the Caps have competed in five overtime games and the Golden Knights in three.
The only two games that went to OT not involving Washington or Vegas, were Tampa-Boston (Game Four) and Winnipeg-Nashville (Game Two), both in the second round.
Four of the 10 games that have gone past 60 minutes needed double overtime to determine a winner.
The law of averages suggests that the Caps and Golden Knights are due for an OT with perhaps a four or five hour marathon in store.
Now, wouldn’t that be the best ending where a long overtime determined first-time champions?
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Brett Connolly of Prince George isn’t getting a lot of ice time for the Capitals against the Golden Knights, but is making the most of his opportunity.
In the opener, the 26-year-old former Prince George and Cariboo Cougar played 11 minutes in the 6-4 loss and scored his fifth goal of the post-season.
.@PGCougars’ former Captain Brett Connolly (@bconnolly8) ties Game 1 of #StanleyCup Finals at 1-1 for @Capitals against @GoldenKnights; its the PG native’s 5th goal of the playoffs | #CityOfPG #Sports https://t.co/xSpAhB20v7
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 29, 2018
In Game Two, Connolly was down to seven-and-a-half minutes of playing time, but was on the ice for the Brooks Orpik second period winner, Orpik’s first goal in 220 games, ending the longest drought in the NHL.
When Nicklas Backstrom missed four games in the playoffs with an injury, Connolly was given a more prominent role.
The Capitals aren’t saying much about the upper-body injury to their leading scorer, Evgeny Kuznetsov, other than he is “day-to-day.”
Should Kuznetsov be sidelined that will increase the responsibilities of the team’s role players, including Connolly, who has generally been on the third line.
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A couple of weeks back I wrote about how host teams excelling at the Royal Bank Cup or Memorial Cup doesn’t mean they deserved to being a participant if they didn’t win their league title.
Gregg Drinnan of Kamloops, in his well-read Taking Note column, did an excellent job this week in putting it in perspective.
Drinnan wrote: “It is time for hockey fans and the media alike to come to the realization, if they haven’t already, that events like the Memorial Cup and Royal Bank Cup don’t decide national championships. They are entertainment vehicles and social gatherings and nothing more, and should be enjoyed as such.”
Drinnan’s complete take on the matter is right here.
BREAKING: @ABTitan defeat @WHLPats 3-0 in @MCMemorialCup Final. #MMC100 #MCMemorialCup #cityofPG #sports pic.twitter.com/iQPgAV5BKy
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 28, 2018
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There are certain blunders in sports that won’t be forgotten.
J.R. Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers is wearing goat horns for costing the Cavs a chance to steal the opener of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.
With 4.7 seconds left in regulation time and the game tied, Cleveland’s George Hill missed a free throw.
Smith secured the rebound, but instead of taking a shot, calling a timeout, or passing to LeBron James, he dribbled back toward half-court, apparently thinking the Cavs had a lead.
After the game Smith told the media: “I was trying to get enough to bring it out to get a shot off. I knew we were tied; I thought we were going to call timeout.”
Cavaliers coach Ty Lue saw it differently: “[Smith] thought it was over. … He thought we were up one.”
It seemed quite obvious watching from the television that Lue’s version is the correct one.
The Cavs were rattled after that, were outscored in overtime 17-7, and lost 124-114.
It likely was Cleveland’s best chance to win on the road in the championship series.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
Texas Rangers 280 pound pitcher Bartolo Colon took a comebacker to the gut, but the 45-year-old recovered in time to get the out at first base. He was just lucky the ball didn’t get lost in there for a ground-rule double.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va., http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
Former tennis great Ilie Nastase, 71, was arrested twice in 24 hours, including being cited for a DUI. Authorities in Romania stated that he tried to take the breathalyzer test through his middle finger.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn
Gronkowski the three year old colt has been given 69-1 odds to win the Preakness. 69-1, out of eight horses! Do they think Rob Gronkowski himself is the jockey?
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
ESPN Films and Netflix have released a trailer for an upcoming 10-part documentary about NBA legend Michael Jordan. No word on when they plan to air Jordan.
*Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
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Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT.
He also is the 94.3 radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @Hartley_Miller