The Caps didn’t quite get the extra point on the touchdown like they did Thursday night in Brooklyn, but the result will look the same in the standings as the Caps earned another two points against the Islanders. The victory didn’t come without sacrifice though as Evgeny Kuznetsov went down with an injury.
TJ Oshie continued his scoring ways, tipping home an Alex Ovechkin point drive on the power play. Mat Barzal tied things up with a power play marker of his own. Nicklas Backstrom restored the Caps goal advantage with a five-on-three strike. Matt Niskanen doubled that advantage late in the second.
Jakub Vrana put an exclamation mark on things with a highlight roof job. Brock Nelson added a late goal, as did John Tavares. Lars Eller got the empty netter.
Caps beat Islanders 6-3!
- Alex Ovechkin’s 597th career goal puck sold for over $1,200 on eBay. That’s a lot of cheddar for some vulcanized rubber.
- Speaking of Ovi, the Caps honored him with a short pregame ceremony for scoring his 600th NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night. He received a slick oil painting portraying him at three separate stages of his Capitals career.
- To the people still inexplicably defending Brooks Orpik as an everyday NHL defenseman, blink rapidly three times if you’re in trouble.
- Why is Alex Chiasson getting power play minutes over Tom Wilson or Jakub Vrana?
— Craig Laughlin (@Laughlin18) March 16, 2018
- TJ Oshie seems to be heating up. He now has three goals in two games. Oshbabe returning to even a semblance of his form from last year would be a very welcome addition to a Caps lineup that has depended on Ovi for a huge portion of their goal scoring this season. Adding to that theme, the Caps have 13 goals in their last two games and Ovi has none of them.
- Some random dude on the Islanders named Ross tried to jump Wilson and got thrown out of the game for his troubles. This continues the still growing story of Wilson having a penthouse suite, with a pool, full bar, and arcade within the heads of all those who encompass the Islanders franchise. Backstrom scored on the ensuing power play. Great work, Ross.
Sassy Tom Wilson is back and he will miss your participation in this hockey game pic.twitter.com/Z0l6uAWX9l
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 17, 2018
- Cal Clutterbuck is trash on skates if trash was paid money to dodge justice for its dirty nature.
- Anyone else really want to see Michael Kempny re-signed in the offseason? What a smooth hockey player. Great pickup by GMBM.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov went into the boards hard after being slashed on the left wrist by Thomas Hickey. Kuzy was down for a pretty long time and went into the locker room nursing his left arm. He did not return to the game and the Caps have said he has an “upper body injury” and “will be further evaluated tomorrow.”
- To make matters worse, Matt Niskanen then went down awkwardly after blocking a shot in front and limped off to the locker room in clear discomfort. However, he did thankfully return to the proceedings.
- Caps power play was busy. Three power play goals on the night.
- Jakub Vrana was my player of the game.
Here's another look because we need another look of this Vrana goal pic.twitter.com/FaZmSa3cvA
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 17, 2018
- Braden Holtby had a decent night in his return to the starter’s cage. He stopped 22 of the 25 shots New York sent his way.
- I wonder where John Tavares will be playing next season. I don’t think he’ll be back in New York. Anyone got any ideas?
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsIsles Green tie! pic.twitter.com/4T8Ime7kGT
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 16, 2018
The Caps next fixture comes at Philadelphia in a rare Sunday evening start. Lots of Metro Division business to finish in March.
Full Coverage of Caps vs Islanders
Headline photo: Patrick McDermott
