CAPITALS COME BACK FOR MASSIVE GAME 5 WIN AT HOME PUSH CHAMPS TO THE EDGE

Game 4 was at home for the Washington Capitals, and as has been the case for well over a month the team really felt they were in a must win situation. They had taken home ice advantage from the NFHL champion Hartford Whalers and had to push hard to try and take a hold of the series. "This was the best team in the league last year. It doesn't matter where they finished in the regular season. They won it all last year so they are the #1 team in our opinion," said Coach Herron before the game. 

The Capitals definitely came out strong for the home crowd as they took an early 2-0 lead in the first period. While it was a pretty active 1st period with Washington taking 14 shots and Hartford taking 11 shots, nothing happened until the 16 minute mark when Tucker scored his 2nd of the series. Then in the last minute of the first Kurri scored his 4th of the series to send the Capitals to a 2-0 lead. 

The second started out much the same and the fans were getting pumped in the building. Messier scored his 4th, on the PP with Ferrero in the box, 6 minutes in and just like that it was 3-0. However, as we mentioned, this is the defending champions on the other side and they would not quit. Before the second would end, the Whalers would score twice and send the teams to the third with Washington just holding onto a 3-2 lead. 

The third was full of fireworks, which as per usual were missed by the home crowd. It was all offense and zero defense. Just 7 seconds in, Mario Lemiuex had the game tied. The Capitals continued to fight though as Tucker scored his 2nd of the game, 3rd overall, at the 7 minute mark. Just 1:11 later Makarov scored his 1st and the Capitals were up 5-3 and Beaupre was sent to the showers. Did we mention that the defending champs were on the other side though, and would not quit. Just 2:06 later Oates would score and it was now 5-4. About 2:30 later Andersson scored and we had a 5-5 game and Moffat would join Beaupre to the locker room. The Whalers were not done though as Oates would score just 1:11 later and the Whalers were now in the lead, the fans that did remain were in utter shock. The Whalers scored 3 goals in less than 4 minutes and went from down 2 to up 1. Then the continued hits from Fred Boimistruck finally paid off as Ferraro would basically lose it. After being hit once again Ferraro would take a roughing minor against Fred. This would give the Capitals a PP chance and Messier made them pay with his 5th goal of the series. The game was now tied and it appeared over-time would be necessary. Before that happened though, Boomer delivered his 11th hit of the game on Ferrao and he couldn't control himself. He took a high stick to Fred, and received a Major for it and a game. The game wasn't a big deal, but the penalty sure was. Gretzky would win the face off and skate in hard on the left and fire a shot at Cheveldae who kicked it aside but Messier was there to pounce and finished his hat trick with the game winning goal just 30 seconds into the extra period. With that the Capitals have now jumped out to a 3-1 lead. "We are happy with the win but we haven't achieved anything yet. They are champions over there and know what is needed to win. Winning the 4th game is always the hardest to win. We can't give up and need to push hard in Game 5," said Capitan Messier 

Pelle Lindbergh got the win making 3 saves on the 4 shots he faced. He is now 1-0 in the playoffs. 

The special teams finally had a successful night. Well at least the PP. The PK unit allowed a goal on the only chance it had, however the PP that hadn't scored in the previous 3 games went 3-5 on the night. 

1st star - Mark Messier - 3 goals, 4 points, on 6 shots. 

2nd star - Adam Oates - 2 goals, 3 points, +1, 4 shots and  8 hits

3rd star - Jari Kurri - 1 goal, 4 points, and 4 hits. 

Also some recognition to John Tucker with 2 goals and Fred Boimistruck with 11 hits. Bobby Smith pitched in with 2 assists while only getting 3 minutes of TOI. 

Up next will be Game 5 back in Hartford. The Whalers will be without Mark Osborne and Cam Neely still serving his suspension. The Capitals will have Ashton back who had missed Game 4. We should see Mike Moffat and Don Beaupre back in nets and both looking to have a better game this time out. Will the Washington Capitals have what it takes to finish off the champs?