Pictured: A+ parenting.
The Avs, like the Caps, have speed. The Avs, unlike the Caps, do not have skill. This was evident early in the game–namely when the Caps set up shop in the defensive zone, and the home team was applauded for FINALLY getting the puck out of their own zone. Despite a torrent of shot attempts, the game remained scoreless throughout the first period.
Forever came and went, but the Caps finally unleashed the scoring in the second period. Semyon Varlamov prevented the game from ballooning into an epic shellacking. A few miscues allowed the Avs to begin mounting a comeback, but TJ Oshie sealed their fate with a late empty-netter. Alas, the better team prevailed.
Caps beat Avs 4-2!
The Caps quite literally sped through all three periods. They absolutely dominated the Avs at even strength and posted a solid performance whilst on special teams. In other words, the Caps actually looked like the team with the NHL’s best record. Refreshing, isn’t it?
- Ping ping ping. That wasn’t the sound of your inbox blowing up; rather, it was the first-period Caps attempting to just score a damn goal already.
- The Caps’ possession supremacy continued into the second period, which was much like the first. Except real, live goals were actually scored.
- Jay Beagle got the scoring party started with a gritty goal. Not to be outdone, Alex Ovechkin notched his 45th goal of the season–on the power play, of course.
- But let’s not forget about Jason Chimera, who scored nifty number nineteen. Dude’s, like, 36. (Does this make 36 the new 26?)
- Other eventful second-period happenings include Tom Wilson laying down a monster hit. Was it a clean hit? Yes. Was it devastating? Absolutely. Alan May even called it “perfect.” Check it out here.
- So much resourcefulness here.
- The Avs’ first goal came on the power play at the end of the second. Their second was another late effort in the third. What-ev-er.
- Going into the third period, the score of 3-1 was beyond misleading. The eye test says so. The numbers don’t lie, either. Shots on goal: 38-15 Caps. Oh, and the Caps had a casual 67 shot attempts. Varlamov deserves credit for keeping Avs fans from walking out during the second intermission.
- There isn’t a whole lot to be said about the third period. There was a lot of skating and not much else…
- Until Patrick Roy pulled Varlamov. After much frenzied six-on-five play, TJ Oshie broke through the noise and tallied his 25th goal of the season: an empty netter.
- Tonight’s victory gave the Caps a new franchise record for wins in a season.
- One last thing:
With 46 shots, #Caps have set a new high for shots under head coach Barry Trotz. Previous high was 45 on March 7, 2015 vs. BUF. #CapsAvs
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 2, 2016
Joe B suit of the night
The final score, 4-2, was wayyyyy closer than it should have been. Yes, the Avalanche’s two goals were unfortunate. But considering how well Varlamov played, putting three four pucks in the back of the net is hardly a bad effort.
The Caps played to their full abilities and came through with the win, despite running into a hot goalie. I like the ending of this story better.
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