The Capitals hadn’t played a game since the late 80s (okay, Saturday), so they looked rested and dialed-in for most of Thursday’s home game against Adam Oates and the New Jersey Devils. Then the third period happened, wherein the Capitals played a prevent defense, which is about as effective as the rhythm method is at birth control.
Inconceivably, Karl Alzner scored first, wandering deep in the offensive zone, where Oates did think him naughty for being there. Eric Fehr doubled down in the second period because he’s terrific, but then Travis “Pat” Zajac cashed in on one of the Caps’ many power-play turnovers. The Caps surrendered the possession game in the third period and relied way too much on Braden Holtby. Steve Bernier tied it up in the final thirty seconds to force overtime, but who cares– Matt Niskanen fired the niscannon to get the OTGWG. (Or maybe Kuznetsov tipped it? Doesn’t matter. CAPS WIN!)
Caps beat Oates 3-2 in overtime.
Also: this. Wow.
Last #Caps player to score OT GWG vs NJ? Adam Oates.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) March 27, 2015
Travis Zajac
Shot attempt 12-0 NJD since 2:48 left in 2nd.
— Pat Holden (@pfholden) March 27, 2015
Guess which team coughed up a 3rd period lead (hockeystats.ca) pic.twitter.com/tEg4V3Kr9F
— Pat Holden (@pfholden) March 27, 2015
Joe B suit of the night
Decent game until it went all pear-shaped in the third. I really didn’t like that final frame, but two points is two points. Or, I guess they are two points. Plus, they are two points off the back of Adam Oates, which makes them even better, because that guy was the worst.
Break’s over. The Caps had four long days off, and now it’s a busy sprint all the way to game 82– starting with two tough back-to-back matinee games this weekend. First: the Preds and Forsberg, then the Presidents’ Trophy leaders the New York Rangers at MSG.
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