Rookie Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov skated around every opponent on the ice, putting Washington ahead with less than 7 minutes, 30 seconds left in Game 7 on Monday as the Capitals beat the New York Islanders 2-1 to advance to the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Kuznetsov scored the sort of athletic, breathtaking goal his better-known teammate, Alex Ovechkin, often does, taking the puck from the right boards and heading across the ice, before sending a rising shot over sprawling goalie Jaroslav Halak.
Joel Ward gave Washington a 1-0 lead late in the second period, before Frans Nielsen pulled New York even early in the third. Braden Holtby only needed to make 10 saves.
Photo: AFP
The Capitals next face the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers, who eliminated Washington from the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 playoffs — in Game 7 each time.
The Islanders’ loss ends their playing days at the Nassau Coliseum, which opened in 1972. They are moving to Brooklyn next season.
It was the first Game 7 of this year’s playoffs and it was a fitting conclusion to this particular matchup. Through the first six games, each team scored 14 goals. Each won on the road, each won in overtime and during the regular season both finished with 101 standings points, and three of their four head-to-head meetings went to overtime.
However, Washington controlled Monday’s action, outshooting New York 26-11.
In Detroit, Michigan, Tyler Johnson scored two goals in his latest stellar performance as the Tampa Bay Lightning held on for a 5-2 victory over the Red Wings, forcing a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
Johnson and Jason Garrison scored in the first period, before Johnson added another goal in the second to give the Lightning a 3-0 lead. Tomas Tatar scored twice for Detroit, but Alex Killorn answered with an unassisted goal with 5 minutes, 9 seconds remaining and Cedric Paquette added an empty-netter.
Ben Bishop made 22 saves for the Lightning, who led the NHL in goals during the regular season, but had been struggling to score on the Red Wings and goaltender Petr Mrazek in the playoff series.
Mrazek made a sensational save on Brian Boyle in the second period, but Tampa Bay had already taken a 2-0 lead by that point.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely