Photo: Gerry Thomas
Good morning! The Washington Capitals beat the Calgary Flames, and if that’s all you care about, you can now go to bed. I’d appreciate it if you read on though; this was a pretty good game.
For example, Joel Ward was gonzo. He exploited a turnover during a first-period power play to put the Caps on the board and then got his second after a strong shift by Michael Latta and the fourth line. Somewhere between those two, ex-Cap Dennis Wideman got the Flames in the game with an outside shot for which Holtby was blinded.
Nick Backstrom got career point number 501 with a sweet wrister in the third period’s first minute. Troy Brouwer shanked a chance at an empty-netter. Oh well, solid W.
Caps beat Flames 3-1!
- The fourth line was a revelation. Joel Ward, Liam O’Brien, and Michael Latta looked in control every time they hit the ice (which was usually in the offensive zone, per usual). They tilted the ice decisively and scored a compelling gritty goal in the second period. Love it, but it does raise questions about the rest of the lineup.
- Dunno how well the Evgeny Kuznetsov-anchored third line performed, though Kuzya has a wicked release on his wrister that should pay dividends over time. We saw it twice tonight, and at least one of those should’ve hit twine.
- Green and Schmidt basically doubled up the Flames in shot attempts during 5v5. They are so much fun together, and I like Schmidt’s aggressive play in the D-zone– a great complement to Green’s finesse, which stunned me a few times tonight.
- The fan in the front row behind Barry Trotz had the coolest Caps sweater. Reader Kevin found it on ebay if you want one of your own (like I do).
- This:
@russianmachine 19 scores with 19:19 on the clock!!!!!!!!
— David Murray (@murraydrum) October 26, 2014
- Alex Ovechkin blocked a shot. Alex Ovechkin shouldn’t have blocked the shot. It was a bad shot and a bad block and it might’ve hurt his wrist. I have many thoughts about this.
- Brooks Orpik is paid to hit dudes, and he hits dudes well. I have a hard time unpacking what happened during that weird sequence in the second period that resulted in a roughing penalty, but I don’t think he deserved it. Nor do I think Troy Brouwer should have been busted for a gentle shove into the bench. Weird ref night in Calgary, and it got even weirder when the Flames got ornery late in the third.
- Braden Holtby was superb. Matt Niskanen, who was otherwise excellent, had Hotlby fully screened on Calgary’s lone goal. I’m houseruling it a shutout, and I wish he would’ve tried for a goalie-goal when Calgary emptied their net with two minutes left.
- Alex Ovechkin didn’t put a ton of rubber on net– again. A worrying pattern. I still like Fehr on the top line with him though.
- With a two-goal lead, Jason Chimera suckered Brandon Bollig into instigating a fight. And then, instead of dropping mitts for the Calgary crowd, Chimera let his cooler head prevail. The Caps got the power play. I absolutely adore that play.
Joe B suit of the night/early morning
This is exactly what we wanted to see when from a Caps-Flames game. The Caps got the lead and kept on shooting, Holtby was solid, and all four lines threatened the net.
Only two things would’ve made this game better: 1)if the game were held at 7 PM and then we all could go to the bar and talk to cute boys and girls, and 2) a Joel Ward hat trick.
Oh well, go tuck yourself into bed and get a good night’s sleep. We got another one coming up on Sunday night. Plus the Sunday snapshot is due in like ugh 11 hours. I guess I should go to bed too.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Flames
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