“I don’t know if I can get 10 again, obviously,” Mantha mentioned with fun after Game 1. “But getting at least a couple out there just to get engaged in the game, trying to get them on their heels maybe. That one play that is going to create a turnover, [that] is going to be beneficial for us. Who knows, maybe I’ll get a little more, get a little less.”
With three video games down, the Capitals lead the collection, 2-1. And by way of it Mantha has flourished, persevering with to maintain his participating, bodily play from Game 1.
Mantha had two assists in Washington’s 6-1 Game 3 win, marking his first profession multi-point sport in the playoffs. He has not solely been noticeable on each ends of the ice this collection, however has additionally taken a heighten function because the Capitals have performed with out an injured Tom Wilson for the final two video games. Wilson remains to be listed as day-to-day.
“Obviously, it’s hard to find someone that plays the same way as Tom,” Mantha mentioned Wednesday. “He’s a great player for our team and he’s intense. He hits a lot. So I think it’s just the same mind-set for us and we play the same game. Special teams need to be dominant and hopefully we go from there.”
The Capitals hope Mantha’s sturdy play in Games 1 and three continues Monday evening, when Washington meets Florida for Game 4 at Capital One Arena. The Panthers, the heavy favorites headed into this collection, are actually on their heels.
Mantha’s play has steadily improved since he missed 45 video games after November shoulder surgical procedure. His rehab was an extended and gradual course of, however after a pair weeks again in the lineup in early March, he proved his price. In Mantha’s first 5 video games after his rehab course of, the Capitals went on a 4-0-1 run. His finest offensive sport of the season was in mid-April, when he scored twice and had two assists in opposition to Montreal.
“I thought that there were strides from last game from Anthony,” Capitals Coach Peter Laviolette mentioned Saturday afternoon. “We all got to turn the page … and we’ve got to get ready. We’ve got to know what’s coming.”
Mantha, who had 4 photographs on aim and three hits in Game 3, was concerned in three Washington targets Saturday. The first was Marcus Johansson’s go-ahead aim halfway by way of the second interval. Mantha began the play along with his heavy forecheck. Then his backhanded shot banked off Panthers defenseman Ben Chiarot earlier than Johansson collected the rebound and buried it in entrance.
Mantha additionally had a job in Trevor van Riemsdyk’s aim lower than 10 minutes later. He hustled to create a turnover on the backcheck earlier than discovering Nicklas Backstrom with a transparent shot. The shot was stopped by Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, however Johansson collected the rebound and dished it to van Riemsdyk, who was extensive open from the left circle for the clear snipe.
Mantha, who had 15:26 of ice time, capped off his spectacular exhibiting along with his on-point entry on a power-play probability halfway by way of the third interval. Mantha was in a position to dig the puck away from the boards and dished to Conor Sheary, who discovered Alex Ovechkin extensive open at his signature spot on the facility play, beating Bobrovsky for Washington’s fourth aim of the sport.
Mantha, who had began to seek out his stride late in the season after being positioned on a line with middle Lars Eller, regarded equally as comfy Saturday on a newly-configured line with Backstrom and Johansson.
When that line was on the ice, the Capitals scored two targets and didn’t enable a single Panthers aim. Backstrom completed with two assists whereas Johansson had a aim and an help. If Wilson can not return for Game 4, and Laviolette decides to stay along with his profitable lineup, there’s an opportunity that line will keep intact because the collection continues.