- The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 18, 2017

TORONTO — With the Washington Capitals suddenly down a game to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s becoming more and more difficult to brush away the idea that the Capitals just can’t win in the postseason.

“Until we change the narrative, that’s going to be the question,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said.

It seems too easy an explanation and, but the Capitals are clearly aware of it, even if some pretend not to be. The Maple Leafs are aware of the storyline too.

“It’s never bad to be in an underdog position,” said Tyler Bozak, the Toronto forward who scored the game-winner in overtime Monday. “There’s a little less pressure, but we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform and we believe in ourselves in here and that’s the most important thing.”

With two hard-fought wins under their belts, though, the Maple Leafs don’t seem so much like underdogs anymore.

“Once you get into the playoffs, the seeding doesn’t really matter,” center Auston Matthews said. “It’s who wants it more.”

• Nora Princiotti can be reached at nprinciotti@washingtontimes.com.

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