And the statement might have been to themselves more than the Lightning, who will be searching for answers heading into Game 2 on Sunday night. “Our goal wasn’t just to get this far,” said Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, who made 18 saves in likely his easiest win of the post-season. “We were six men by a mile, so I don’t think anyone is fired up by the goal,” said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. After a Washington giveaway, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov was sprung for a breakaway, in which he beat Holtby with a gorgeous deke. The Washington Capitals centre, who missed the series-clinching win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, has not practised with the team since getting hurt.

Source: National Post May 12, 2018 03:25 UTC