Capitals sent home from Stanley Cup playoffs after 4-0 loss to Islanders
Tom Wilson #43 and Radko Gudas #33 of the Washington Capitals react after their 4-0 loss in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank A
TORONTO - For the second season in a row since winning the Stanley Cup, the Washington Capitals were dealt and early exit from the playoffs Thursday night in Toronto.
The Capitals were eliminated in a 4-0 loss to the Barry Trotz-coached New York Islanders.
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After the loss, Capitals coach Todd Reirden said his job security now being in question is part of the role.
“For whatever reason, our team wasn’t able to mentally and physically get to our game for long enough,” Reirden said. “This is not acceptable for our organization.”
Trotz – who won the Stanley Cup at the helm of the Washington franchise - felt all kinds of emotions after his New York Islanders knocked his former team out of the playoffs in the first round in Game 5.
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He has now advanced in the postseason two years in a row since the Capitals opted to let him leave rather than giving him a raise after he led them to a championship, while Washington hasn't won a playoff series since Trotz's departure.
“When you go through a series like that where you’ve had some success with a group of guys, it tears you a little bit because there’s so many good memories,” Trotz said. “But at the same time, you work for someone else and you want to beat that group just because we’re competitive, we don’t want to lose.”
The Islanders, who quickly scooped up Trotz, move on to face either the Philadelphia Flyers or Boston Bruins in the second round.
They got through the Capitals with ease in Game 5 after missing a chance to sweep thanks to two goals by Anthony Beauvillier and Semyon Varlamov's 21-save shutout of the team that drafted and developed him.
The Capitals erased a two-goal deficit in Game 4 Tuesday to avoid a sweep but didn't have the same response in their second consecutive elimination game. Goaltender Braden Holtby didn't get much help in allowing two goals on 15 shots.
While Trotz and Reirden exchanged a very quick handshake, Holtby and his former coach had a good chat on the ice after what could be the 30-year-old's final game with Washington.
“We had a lot of success when he was here: a guy that I know myself I have a ton of respect for,” Holtby said. "He’s an honest guy. You just wish him the best because he’s one of the good guys in hockey.”
Beauvillier scored on the power play midway through the first period and then at even strength in the second, taking a big hit into the net from Tom Wilson while finishing his second goal of the game. Wilson's Capitals teammates were unable to muster much in the way of pushback even with top center Nicklas Backstrom back after going into concussion protocol and missing the past three games.
“I’m glad that I was back at least, but tough results,” Backstrom said.
Empty-netters by Nick Leddy and and Josh Bailey sealed it for New York, which didn't miss a beat without injured alternate captain Cal Clutterbuck.
“I think they play an outstanding game,” Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. “There’s nothing you can do right now but move on."
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