A Third Straight Overtime Game Was A Blessing For the Washington Capitals

There’s no doubting that the most entertaining first round series of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been the Columbus Blue Jackets against the Washington Capitals.

Considering that the Capitals blew another third period lead in Game 3, most NHL fans alike probably thought that the odds were against Alex Ovechkin and company to pull back within one game of the Jackets in the series; especially with the series entering its third straight overtime contest. With Columbus winning the first two games in come from behind fashion, and in overtime, it appeared that history would repeat itself for the Nation’s Capital once again in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Yet, the Metropolitan Division matchup continued to go against the grain for this year’s ongoing playoff trend (home team winning). The Capitals won their first game of the series (3-2) in double overtime at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, after a Lars Eller crashed the Blue Jackets’ net and forced the puck in off a rebound for the game-winner nine-minutes into the extra frame.

Knock, knock. On the doorstep, @lellerofficial gets it done for the @Capitals in #StanleyCup Playoff double-OT. https://t.co/tm4X6HvSVW

— NHL (@NHL) April 18, 2018

According to ESPN’s Steve Levy — a team has never lost its first three games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs all in overtime…

No team in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has ever lost the first 3 games of a series, all in overtime…

— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) April 18, 2018

While things weren’t looking in favor of the Caps after the third period had ended in a 2-2 tie, perhaps a third straight overtime contest was a blessing in disguise for Washington — after all.

Game 4 is set to take place Thursday at Nationwide Arena with a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop.

Tweet your NHL related questions to @KMcKenna_tLT5  to have them answered & be sure to use the hashtag #McKennasDigest

Kyle McKenna covers the NHL for Hooked On Hockey Magazine. He can be reached on Twitter (@KMcKenna_tLT5) 

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Kyle McKenna

NHL Writer

Kyle McKenna is a freelancer covering the NHL for various online outlets, and is a social media specialist. McKenna has produced NHL content for sites such as about dot com & Elite Sports New York.

@KMcKenna_tLT5

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