Determination, focus important in Capitals' dominant playoff penalty kill

Capitals goalie Braden Holtby saved six of the Islanders’ 11 shots on the power play in Game 4 Tuesday as the Capitals’ penalty kill has been perfect in the series. (Associated Press) more >Nicklas Backstrom was without his stick, having thrown it away because it was broken, and he knew that the Washington Capitals couldn’t afford to be down another man.

Thus, when Nick Leddy took possession of the puck at the right point just over 11 minutes into the first period, Backstrom charged. The Capitals‘ top-line center, thrust into a greater role on the penalty kill with Eric Fehr out because of an injury, turned just as the New York Islanders defenseman cocked his stick, taking Leddy’s ensuing…