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Bittersweet: Caps beat Islanders 6-3

By Chris Cerullo

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March 16, 2018 9:56 pm

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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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?

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

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