After their overtime victory over the Rangers Wednesday, the Washington Capitals were in high spirits Thursday morning, ending practice with a 3-on-3 scrimmage between the blue lines which, according to head coach Todd Reirden, was a new addition to practice this season.
After about ten minutes, the scrimmage between the top-six forwards (Red) and bottom-six forwards (White/Blue) was tied. Coaches shouted that the next goal would win, and soon after, Andre Burakovsky of the White/Blue team scored what seemed to be the winning goal against Braden Holtby.
…But! The Red Team protested immediately, saying that there had been an extra man on the ice, and the goal was overturned. Reirden joked in his post-practice media availability that the video coaches would be reviewing the tape to see who was right. Well, we have that video.
Video
In the video, forwards Burakovsky and Devante Smith-Pelly make a quick line change, jumping on the rush with Nathan Walker and catching Holtby out of position.
It’s hard to tell (why did I shoot vertical video, argh) but it looks like there are only three White forwards on the play, meaning the goal should have stood.
With Burakovsky’s goal reversed, the teams went back on the attack and this time it was TJ Oshie who scored the winner for Team Red, sliding the puck between Pheonix Copley’s pads.
Oshie later joked that his goal was a bigger hero than Matt Niskanen’s OT goal against the Rangers from the previous night.
Here is the frame-by-frame celebration.
Here are more of the photos from the scrimmage, which was high intensity and highly-competitive, but the Caps clearly had fun, judging by their smiles.
Photos: Elizabeth Kong
Share On