After jumping out to a 3-1 lead last night, the Washington Capitals made a series of mistakes and miscalculations that turned a two-goal lead into an overtime loss. We could talk about the game-winning goal or even the game-tying goal, but really this one was lost in a roughly 30 second sequence that sealed their fate.
With just over a minute remaining in regulation, up by one and the Toronto goalie on the bench for the extra attacker, the Caps did exactly what you’re supposed to do when under pressure: they cleared the puck, carrying it up ice. It was a play that would almost certainly result in the empty-net goal to seal the deal, right?
Well…not exactly. Words aren’t even really needed for this play – just watch what happens below (and if you’re like me, hear “Yakety Sax” playing in your head while doing so):

Not usually one to yell “shoot” at the players on the ice, but c’mon, men. SHOOOOOOT.
At the end of that disaster, Nic Dowd took a stupid penalty at center ice, the Leafs would go on to score on the ensuing power play to force overtime, and then John Tavares would snatch the extra point in the extra frame.
Tough one all around, and plenty of tape to learn from.