The Washington Capitals’ mentors trip kicked off at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. Playing an equally unrested New York Rangers team with big Metro Division standings implications, the Caps had to dig deep to secure their fifth win in a row. So that’s what they did.
The Rangers scored the lone goal of the first period, with Jimmy Vesey finishing off a tic-tac-toe after getting sprung from the penalty box.
The second period began poorly as Brady Skjei did that hockey so quickly that we hardly saw the puck go in. The Caps took over after that – first with Nic Dowd deflecting John Carlson’s shot, then a full-steam breakaway from Jakub Vrana to tie the score. Finally, Alex Ovechkin capped off a good forecheck with a point-blank goal to put the Caps up one goal in the final minute of the second period.
In the third, Ryan Strome wrapped around Copley’s net to even the score 3-3. Brett Connolly took a great east-west pass from John Carlson and turned into absolute fire to reestablish the Washington lead with six minutes left. Tom Wilson added an empty-netter just to piss off every other team.
Caps win 5-3!
- A tired Caps team had a hard time getting going early with one exception. John Carlson‘s offense was active early and often, with three goals (Dowd’s, Ovechkin’s, and Ovechkin’s) coming directly off his effort. He was the difference maker.
- The Rangers stomped the Caps on the faceoff dot in the first period, with the Rags winning all but two. The two the Caps won came from the same fella: Nicklas Backstrom.
- Alright, everyone go into comments and explain to me how this Tom Wilson hit was interference. I promise I’ll pretend to have an open mind.
Tom Wilson was called for interference on this play. I'm skeptical. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/04f88bSdlI
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 24, 2018
- Jeez oh pete, the Rangers sure are quick. Vesey, Fast and Hayes were blurs on the game-opening goal, which also came at the tail end of a penalty kill. Vesey had an excuse for being spritely, but what’s the excuse for Fast and Hayes? I was told the Rangers played yesterday, but only one team looked ragged to me.
- I wrote earlier today that Jakub Vrana seems primed for a breakout season, and, well, yup. Vrana’s sixth goal of the season had everything that makes him dangerous: speed and finesse all at once.
Speed is deadly.
Exhibit A: @JVranaa. pic.twitter.com/x1d4nNRiqg
— NHL (@NHL) November 24, 2018
- Alex Ovechkin‘s goal ties him with David Pastrnak and Jeff Skinner for the league lead at 17. I don’t think we’ll see two of those names at the top of Rocket race come April.
- Haha, Tom Wilson is on fire now. People are gonna be so pissed.
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsRangers pic.twitter.com/yewG92A9fY
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 24, 2018
I love the way the Caps are playing right now. I love that they turned on the heat after a dismal opening ten minutes. I love Carlson’s production. I love the mentors trip. I love that goals came from all the lines, but most of all I love that the Caps have passed the Columbus Blue Jackets for first place in the division. Let’s keep it that way through April.
