The Washington Capitals have only won seven of their last 19 games and were coming off one of their worst efforts of the season, a 3-0 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Thursday in San Jose, the Capitals came out with more energy, more discipline, and more defensive stoutness in a location they have historically stunk in. Riding three points from TJ Oshie, the Caps dispatched the Sharks 5-1 at SAP Center.
“I think [the difference] was our energy,” Oshie said. “Even on the bench, it seems like guys were up. We’re feeling good. We’re talking to each other. We’re letting guys know [when guys make good plays]. It’s been fun.”
To say the Capitals were pumped about their win against the Sharks would be a massive understatement. To celebrate, the team blasted 2pac and Dr.Dre’s mega-hit, California Love as players walked into the locker room.
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CALIFORNIAAAA LOOOOOVE #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/rj3zVQBQNm
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 15, 2019
Very topical. Much troll.
A smiling Alex Ovechkin, who scored his league-leading 39th goal in the second period, screamed “MMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MANNNNNNNNNNN!” as he walked down the hallway.
John Carlson also can be heard saying “Hey, Tommy, thanks for the donation” — an inside joke of some kind.
The Athletic’s Chris Kuc added that there was “lots of hooting and hollering in Capitals’ dressing room” after the victory. San Jose was the Western Conference’s best team in the standings.
Lots of hooting and hollering in Capitals’ dressing room after win over Sharks.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) February 15, 2019
During the game, the Capitals also had fun. Oshie was caught on camera crashing into Nicklas Backstrom and Devante Smith-Pelly on the bench.
With the victory, the Capitals pulled within three points of the New York Islanders for the Metropolitan Division lead. They are also only four points ahead of rival Pittsburgh who sit in the second wildcard spot, the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, currently.
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