Below the jump are the two plays that probably ended the Washington Capitals' season. Oh sure, plenty of plays sort of ended it if you really want to think about it. The too many men on the ice penalty ended up costing them. All four of Tampa Bay's goals, if you think about it, could have been the difference. The own goals surrendered in Game 1 and 2 might have been the difference. On and on and on.
But technically, it was these two plays. First, it was Steven Stamkos tying the game at 3 with just over five minutes gone by in the third period of Game 3. Then, it was Ryan Malone putting home a rebound right in front of Michal Neuvirth to give the Lightning the lead 24 seconds later. Twenty-four seconds. That's all it took for (barring a miracle comeback, of course) several months of a massive style change to be undone.
Videos are below the jump, if you can stomach them.
Goal 1.
Goal 2