Two Swedes, one box

George McPhee traded prospect Filip Forsberg away sometime in the late 80s in exchange for Michael Latta, who is a nifty fourth liner, and a skunked case of Labatt Blue. We drank the beer, and then Forsberg scored twice on the Caps in Nashville on Tuesday. Don’t care. The Caps are still the best.

Tom Wilson, of all people, was involved in the Caps’ first two goals. In the first he assisted Jason Chimera, and in the second he swatted a saucer pass from Marcus Johansson. Filip Forsberg, dammit, scored on a power play in the second period.

In the third, Justin Williams put the Perds in a two-goal hole with an impressive scramble in the Nashville crease. Marcus Johansson welcomed himself back with a goal of his own, but the Preds struck back with goals by Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg (oh come the frick on) in quick succession. Alex Ovechkin got the empty netter.

Caps beat Preds 5-3! Four wins in a row!

Let’s dance.

• Tom Wilson and Jason Chimera are probably the unlikeliest scoring combo on the team– with the exception of Brooks Laich and anyone.
• After a four-game break, Marcus Johansson returned to active duty with an eventful evening. First, he high-sticked Filip Forsberg. (Have we considered the possibility that he might be a Swedish enigma?) Then, he spooned some some spicy sauce to Tom Wilson. Then, he scored one of his own. Great game by a solid player who rarely takes the limelight.
• The Caps bench management in the second period was Oatesian. The Caps recorded two overlapping too many men on the ice penalties. Trotz made birthday boy Andre Burakovsky serve the first and returned other-Swede Marcus Johansson serve the second, which was curious and quirky, somewhat undercutting the severe ineptitude that preceded.
• Ian Oland’s fitbit burst into flames when Forsberg scored his first goal, #StepsForTed. Ian was eerily quiet after Forsberg’s second goal though I think I heard quiet weeping across town.
• With Joe Beninati a bit under the weather, Vapin’ Al Koken called the play by play, which is a special treat when Ryan “Joe” Johansen faces off against Marcus “Yo” Johansson. I don’t know why flipping those pronunciations is so funny to me, but it is, dammit.
• Andre Burakovsky‘s point streak is now at eight games. Andre Burakovsky’s BAC after this game better be 0.08 too. HBD, dude.
• P.S. Also on Williams’ goal, Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s league-leading primary assist tally grew to 32. Wow.

Al Koken suit of the night

We’re all insufficiently grateful for Braden Holtby, who recorded his 34th win. If this were 2010, and it basically is, the Caps would be handing four spots to every opponent and then the boys would have to do some nutty stuff to eke out wins. Now, with actually reliable goaltending, the Caps have a totally different vibe. Or at least they’re supposed to. Tonight was an exception. Yeah, that’s it.

I liked Marty Erat by the way. He got a ton of 5v5 assists that season.

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Predators