I'm not going to rehash what was obviously a brilliant performance by goalie Jose Theodore. Aww, what the heck...If it wasn't for Jose, this damn game would have been over before we even settled into our seats for some nachos and a Coke; not diet.
Detroit outshot the Caps 15-3 in the first period, making it look as if the entire team was sleep walking. Matt Bradley, who always seems to come out strong in games that require that extra effort, spurred his team in the 2nd period with a goal to tie the score 1-1 in the final two minutes of play. In a period, which not been their best historically, the Caps held the Wings without allowing a single tally.
Coming out in the 3rd, the two teams played as if the playoffs were being held that night. Even the crowd understood the stakes, and responded with all the energy required to keep the Caps engaged to the end. Were it not for the refreshing performance from 1st star Theodore, who had been taking a backseat to the younger, less experienced Michal Neuvirth, it certainly could have been a very different ending.
As we head into Pittsburgh for Thursday's big tilt, let's keep in mind that the story of the moment is not Crosby's 6 pts, or Malkin's hattie. It is the brilliance of a goalie, whose moment many thought had passed, and a team who can win big games in surprising ways.
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