So long, 2018: Predators beat Caps 6-3

December 31, 2018 3:08 pm

The Washington Capitals have CAPPED (sorry) off the year with a loss to the Nashville Predators. This ended the Predators’ five-game losing streak and the Capitals have now lost two games in their last eleven. Not too shabby!

After an exciting first period, the Capitals got on the board twice with goals from Michal Kempny and Jakub Vrana. A quick response from Nashville’s Rocco Grimaldi would keep the Capitals in the lead headed into the second period.

Not quite sure what got into the Predators team during the second period, but after a Chandler Stephenson goal (*cough* and a Braden Holtby assist), they responded with three additional goals.

The third period was quiet for the first half until Ryan Ellis and Viktor Arvidsson put the final nails in the coffin.

Caps lose 6-3!

For the first time this season, Tom Wilson and Brooks Orpik were in the lineup in the same game. Wilson returned to the lineup right when Orpik was injured and underwent knee surgery.
Michal Kempny had the Caps on the board first with his fourth goal of the year. This is a new single-season high for him.
John Carlson gave a great, beautiful, falling assist to Jakub Vrana for his 12th goal of the season. He is one goal away from being tied with his goals from last season. Vrana is now second in goals on the team behind…you know who…Alex Ovechkin.
My number one weakness? You know what it is, it’s crying family members when they see their son/grandson/brother/whatever score a goal. Here’s Susie Grimaldi after she saw her son, Rocco, score at Capital One Arena:

When you get to see your son score a goal. 😭 pic.twitter.com/fsIhnNqMZB

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) December 31, 2018

The Capitals have scored a goal in the second period in nine consecutive games and their 56 goals in the second period this season ranks second in the NHL. It’s their most productive period. Coming into the second period this evening, the Capitals looked sluggish.
Alex Ovechkin remained quiet in the game with only four shot attempts and only two shots on goal.
Braden Holtby became tied for the lead in goalie points after an assist on the Chandler Stephenson goal in the second period. His first assist was against the Boston Bruins back on opening night.
Peter left the RMNB dungeon just to see his favorite boy, Brooks Orpik. He is now not allowed to leave ever again.

Hi from me and @beatsnboxes pic.twitter.com/sio2TOdse6

— Good Tweet Pete 🌮 (@peterhassett) December 31, 2018

This was the first road win for the Nashville Predators since November 10th.
During the game, Coach Todd Reirden reverted back to the Capitals’ Stanley Cup Final lines.

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 31, 2018

Nicklas Backstrom had one of his worst games of the season. Routinely stout defensively against the other team’s best lines, Backstrom had a team-low 40.5 shot attempts percentage (15 shots for, 22 against), including being on the ice for only one-high danger attempt for, while facing six against. The Swedish center was on the ice for three Predators 5-on-5 goals. Not much better was Tom Wilson, necessitating the change.
While Michal Kempny got the scoring started for the Capitals, he was also on the ice for three Predators five-on-five goals. John Carlson was too.
Joe B, looking handsome as always and closing out the year with some light, playful colors!