Let's not act like caps didn't have opportunities. Sure, Nashville played a NJ style - but Caps had chances and missed, overpassed, or didn't make an accurate shot. They had their opportunities.
Honestly, I just think the law of averages are catching up. Oshie was shooting 25%.... team overall like 13% for a 10 or 15 game stretch. That's just not going to be sustainable.
It's a fair point but then they should shoot more, no? Not pointless muffin Laich type shots from inside the blueline in transition and the like but strategically so. If that's not in their vocabulary it's troublesome. It's not like they don't have puck...
I still think Caps have two teams they don't match up great against in playoffs. Pitt and SJ. Everyone else I think Caps beat in a long series.
They just need to stay healthy.
Can, sure, but it doesn't mean much. Teams like the Rangers, Blue Jackets, a more healthy Lightning, Blackhawks and Sens/Bruins could give them tough runs for their money just the same. Their structural integrity isn't as tested against those teams generally speaking but it's the playoffs. It's still going to be about the extent to which this group can elevate their games further while playing with more routine urgency within a structured game.
Pittsburgh is without a number of defensemen still whereas the Caps tonight will be fully healthy. Big difference there when it comes to the expectation level in being able to lock down on teams. Under the circumstances for them you take the win and move on. That level of offensive production means the games aren't without merit and depending on health they may need to win games that route. They're bound to need more balance in time but, then again, so will the Caps if they can't rely on high Sh&'s. And, unlike PIT, they're about to have zero injury excuses.