The Caps rolled into Newark looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s listless loss to the Senators. This wasn’t just any old hockey game though. A beard was on the line, people.
Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring with a goal that should remind all of us how lucky we are to watch this guy every game. Then the PP converted as Andre Burakovsky put the Caps up 2-0, showing the Devils why it’s a bad idea to pass the puck in front of your own net.
The Devils struck in the opening minutes of the second. The Caps got caught chasing in their own zone, and the lead was cut to to 2-1. The Devils continued to tilt the ice for the first half of the second period but there’s no need to worry because the best third line in hockey got to work and put the Caps up 3-1. Soon after, Dmitry Orlov sprung Evgeny Kuznetsov who slotted home the breakaway and, just like that, the Caps were up 4-1 and Keith Kinkaid’s night was over. The Devils scored before the second was over to make it 4-2. It was a PP goal against a Caps defensive pair of Brooks Orpik and Taylor Chorney…
Kuznetsov added an empty netter in the third.
Caps win 5-2! The beard stays!
- Way more important than any hockey game, we hope everything turns out okay for TJ Oshie and family. He missed the game due to a family matter.
- Can we talk about that Ovechkin goal a little more? He looked like that dude in your beer league who needs to be bumped up to a higher league because scoring is too easy for him. Only Ovechkin is doing it in the best hockey league in the world.
- Taylor Hall is a joy to watch. It’s a shame he hasn’t spent time in his career surrounded by better players.
- Speaking of the name Taylor, Taylor Chorney was a solid 7D last season. He’s struggled this season, often looking indecisive with the puck. Get well soon, John Carlson.
- Remember earlier in the season when it looked like Andre Burakovsky’s struggles may lead to the Caps signing him to a bargain bridge deal this summer? Well, he’s driving that price back up to where we’d expect.
- Lars Eller’s goal was huge. The Devils were controlling play and seemed poised to tie the game. But Braden Holtby held down the fort and then BAM the Caps were up 3-1.
- How good was that pass from Orlov to Kuznetsov on the Caps fourth goal? The answer is very good, possibly better. They almost connected again a few minutes later when Orlov intentionally banked his dump-in to the front of the net.
- What a hit by Orpik on Hall. It was a clean hit. Yeah, “old-time hockey” and “gotta protect your stars” etc., but man, can’t a big, clean hit just be a big, clean hit without the recipient’s teammates losing their minds? Giving Tom Wilson a game misconduct for being the third man into the melee was the cherry on top of that joke sundae.
- A pretty good game from the guys in white. Holtby and the PP were the difference makers.
Joe B suit of the night
Full Coverage of Devils vs Caps
Headline photo: Elsa
