We got back-to-back stinkers out of the Caps following the bye week. I have a feeling Barry Trotz was just as grumpy about those efforts as we were, as Sunday’s performance against the Philadelphia Flyers was a big improvement. But a good effort doesn’t guarantee a good result.
After a scoreless first, Phildadelphia’s Michael Raffl notched a goal, cleaning up a rebound to best Braden Holtby. Alex Ovechkin did his thing on the power play in the waning seconds before the second intermission. The third period gave us no goals, so overtime had to decide. That’s where Travis Konecny got a bounce off TJ Oshie to end it.
Flyers beat Caps 2-1 in overtime.
- Even when the on-ice team is struggling, the Caps organization manages to do some excellent, heartwarming stuff. Today is the most recent in a long line of examples. I’m so glad William Cody had a good day.
- In a surprising move, rumored scratch Jakub Vrana got a sweater instead of Alex Chiasson. Vrana got fourth line minutes with Beagle and Smith-Pelly, where they pulled up the rear on an otherwise strong possession game. No offense of any kind for Vrana and a season low in ice time. A virtual scratch, really.
- This doesn’t happen to Tom Wilson often. I like Ivan Provorov’s style.
Ivan Provorov levels Tom Wilson. pic.twitter.com/mTFo93axDI
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) January 21, 2018
- I wonder how much Coach Trotz emphasized the backcheck before today’s game. The fellas played without the puck with an urgency I did not expect. Alex Ovechkin was like this all game.
Still think I don’t play defense? Watch this. 😮🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/2THUWXYllV
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 21, 2018
- Though those events were rare. The Caps really did have the puck a ton. Washington’s low scoring should be a credit to Flyers goal Brian Elliott, who was pretty flawless.
- It’s “pretty” flawless because an Ovi Shot from the Ovi Spot can beat any goalie in the league. With 29 goals through 48 games, Ovi is now four shy of last whole season’s total. But his 500th career assist still eludes him.
- Separated from Ovi, Nick Backstrom seemed extra determined. He put four shots on goal and drove play convincingly. I’d say his line was the best, but the entire top nine was so good I’m can’t be sure.
- Chris Cuthbert call plays for NBC, and he did a fine job. Still, it’s maddening that NBC won’t use Joe Beninati. He called national games wonderfully and neutrally for years. It’s a waste of Joe B’s global-scale talent not to have him on the telecast.
- Dmitry Orlov definitely got away with boarding Claude Giroux in the third period. Giroux was fine and nearly scored the game winner in the third, but Brooks Orpik shut him down.
- So… what’s up with TJ Oshie?
GAMEFACE!!! w/ @capsredrockers @ByronHudtloff & Mr & Mrs @noazark151 !! #CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/efgf3fEIYX
— Wes Johnson (@WesJohnsonVoice) January 21, 2018
Wes Johnson yelling at you of the afternoon
Not a happy ending, but I feel way better about this team than I did a couple days ago. Really, this Caps team looked perfectly cromulent to me.
Have a great Sunday, everyone. Enjoy the sunshine before it gets miserable out again. Go Vikings.
Headline photo: Patrick McDermott
