The 7 Best Washington Capitals Stats From Round 1

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The Washington Capitals have punched a ticket to a second round match against the New York Rangers. Here are the seven best stats from their first round victory over the New York Islanders in a seven-game series.

1. Perfect Penalty Kill

The Capitals made it out of their seven-game opening round series without allowing a single power play goal. This wasn’t even particularly because the Capitals limited their penalties. They did somewhat, taking only a single penalty in three games, but overall the Capitals gave the Islanders 14 power plays, an average of two per game.

2. A Defense-First Game 7

In Game 7, the Capitals limited the Islanders to just 11 shots. That’s the fewest shots a team has ever taken in a Game 7.

Before you say, Didn’t the Maple Leafs take just six shots once? Yes, but that was a Game 6. Sorry, Islanders, this record is yours.

3. Kuznetsov’s Clincher

Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s highlight reel goal in the third period of Game 7 stood as the series-clinching goal for the Capitals. He’s the first rookie to ever score a series-clinching Game 7 goal for the franchise.

Watch that beauty here:

He also became the second player in Caps history to record his first three playoff points in the same game when he put in a pair of goals and an assist in Game 5. The other was Sergei Gonchar.

4. Game 7 Success

Part of the reason for #3 is that this is only the second time in Capitals history that the team has won a Game 7 at all.

5. Backstrom Takes the Record

Nicklas Backstrom grabbed his third career overtime goal for the Capitals. That puts him at first all-time for playoff OT goals in a Capitals jersey.

6. Don’t Forget About Grubauer

Philipp Grubauer became the first German-born goaltender to start a playoff game. He grabbed one game — a win — when Braden Holtby had to miss a game due to illness and the team decided they didn’t feel confident in back-up goaltender Justin Peters.

Grubauer also became the third rookie goaltender to win his playoff debut in Capitals history. The other two are Olaf Kolzig (1995) and Bob Mason (1987).

It doesn’t look like he’ll be back in the roster soon though, with Holtby healthy and Justin Peters staying put as the back-up. With that being the situation, the Capitals have re-assigned Grubauer to the Hersey Bears of the AHL.

7. How’s Your Bracket?

More From This Series

  • The 8 Best Montreal Canadiens Stats From Round 1
  • The 6 Best Minnesota Wild Stats From Round 1
  • The 8 Best Chicago Blackhawks Stats From Round 1
  • The 6 Best Anaheim Ducks Stats From Round 1
  • The 7 Best New York Rangers Stats From Round 1
  • The 6 Best Calgary Flames Stats From Round 1



    • Thanks to the NHL and team PR Twitter accounts, as well as Elias Sports Bureau for some of the statistics.