The Capitals came home from a four-game road swing and boy did they feast on some home cooking against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Tom Wilson scored 54 seconds into the game by crashing the gosh darn net, and into Corey Crawford who was way out of his crease. Bouncing baby boy Andre Burakovsky made it 2-0 off a sick Jakub Vrana backhand feed on the power play. In the second, Michal Kempny blasted one in from the point, and then a bubble masked Brandon Saad dangled the daylights out of Dmitry Orlov to bring the Hawks within two. To start the third, Erik Gustafsson toe-dragged the puck past Braden Holtby and it looked like the comeback was on. Devante Smith-Pelly promptly shut that down with a back-door shot that beat Crawford high. The Hawks pulled Crawford with 2:47 left, but no dice.
Caps win 4-2!
- A nifty stat from Japers Rink: the Caps are 20-13-9 all time on games played before Thanksgiving. In the Ovi era, they’re 7-3-2 in these pre-holiday games and have won three in a row. Make it four in a row!
- We talk a lot about Alex Ovechkin as a goal scorer, but he is such an under-rated passer. The way he got the Chicago defense to bite on the fake shot, then slung it to Wilson for the tip was beautiful. I hope we see some more fake Ovi shots to free up other scorers, because then not only will teams have to respect his shot, they’ll also have to respect a pass. Lose-lose both ways.
- Craig Laughlin pointed this out during the broadcast, but entering tonight, the Hawks are 0-5 in regulation when the other team scores first. Now they’re 0-6. On a team with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Corey Crawford, that’s rather befuddling.
- So far this season, the Caps penalty kill has been questionable. In tonight’s matchup, it was 2/2 against a power play unit that before today converted at a clip of 14%. The PK unit was a touch less aggressive and held its shape more, and moving forward those tweaks should help immensely.
- The Caps seem to have some issues winning the puck off the boards in their own zone for a breakout. In the first period alone I counted four different occasions where a Capital had the puck, then tried to shovel it up the same side or just flung it to open space and prayed. That won’t cut it the deeper we get into the season, and the forwards need to help their defenseman out when it comes to leaving their defensive zone.
- Michal Kempny praised the Caps coaching staff profusely for taking a chance on him when the Blackhawks wouldn’t. Kempny’s first goal of the season came against his former team. Karma does in fact exist.
- Jakub Vrana has been outstanding the last few games, and with two assists tonight, his point total is now at 12. That’s just under halfway to his 27 from last season, and we’re a quarter into this season.
- John Carlson’s assist on DSP’s third period goal puts him fourth all-time among Caps defenseman, passing Sergei Gonchar.
we are powered by pettiness & chaotic joy https://t.co/CcIL421geD
— b. (@youripides) November 22, 2018
With John Carlson's assist on Smith-Pelly's goal, he has passed Sergei Gonchar (272) for sole possession of fourth place among Capitals defensemen in franchise history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 22, 2018
Joe B Suit of the Night feat. smol puppers
Hey Caps Fans! #ALLCAPS It's the "Stanley Cup edition" of the Canine calendar! Pups,players and the Stanley Cup what beats that? All proceeds go to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.Get yours @CapitalOneArena , @MedStarIceplex or @washcaps.com/caninecalendar Get one now! pic.twitter.com/mhKGd75sWj
— Craig Laughlin (@Laughlin18) November 21, 2018
This time of year, I try to reflect on what I’m thankful for. I’m definitely thankful the Caps finally won the Stanley Cup, and I’m super thankful that I get to share that with all of you here at Russian Machine. Take tomorrow to celebrate and reflect with family and friends and to eat delicious food, but bring your game faces Friday when the Caps are back at Capital One Arena at 4 PM to take on the Detroit Red Wings.
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
