The Capitals won a hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes four goal hugs to one! The “hockey” was pretty uneventful for the first two periods, but luckily, the surrounding shenanigans were plentiful.
Pregame
NHL players are required to arrive for games wearing suits and the Capitals have started making it a full-on fashion show. This game’s show featured a trio of cute duets. The only question is: which is cutest?
Djoos and Siegenthaler, two former Hershey Bears teammates, both recently returned to the lineup? Nicklas Backstrom pranking an oblivious Andre Burakovsky? Or Tom Wilson strolling in with video analyst Tim Ohashi? You be the judge.
Tragically, the Caps do not wear their suits during games. After they’ve changed into their gear they hang out in the hallway. The majority of the Caps’ weirdest pregame rituals happen here, including this moment between Ovechkin and Vrana last night.
@Capitals
As Twitter user @dragonscrawl pointed out: Ovi and Vrana’s little dance looks similar to the pregame ritual that Vrana and Bowey did before Bowey’s trade to Detroit.
Madison Bowey with @PrideTape & another adorable pregame ritual with Jakub Vrana. pic.twitter.com/kDyDSHgFIE
— b. (@youripides) February 12, 2019
The Capitals’ captain may have stepped up in Bowey’s absence and taken over weird-chicken-dance duties. Also not to be missed: Ovechkin’s solemn staredown with Carl Hagelin.
Big guy comin thru pic.twitter.com/quKDKldJN5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 26, 2019
Once pregame warmups were underway, Braden Holtby got down to business looking the way he usually does.
um hi there holtby pic.twitter.com/OBZUKawK8u
— b. (@youripides) March 26, 2019
In other words: he looked good and also odd.
*wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle FLOOP* pic.twitter.com/l2XwCWe7e9
— b. (@youripides) March 26, 2019
During the “Game”
The NHL is affectionately known as the “Never Hungry League,” but Andre Burakovsky is apparently not getting enough calories and decided to gnaw on his jersey for sustenance.
okay who was supposed to feed andre pic.twitter.com/RzW91AVRh9
— b. (@youripides) March 27, 2019
Judging by Burky’s face journey his jersey did not taste great.
HUGS!
The Hurricanes got one goal hug courtesy of Dougie Hamilton. This is allowed for two reasons: 1) Dougie Hamilton likes museums, and 2) Dougie Hamilton’s inspiration for becoming an offensive defenseman is Alex Ovechkin, who was his favorite player growing up.
So basically this is Ovi’s 48th-and-a-half goal hug of the season.
Dougie and Ovi even had a chance to chat post-kerfluffle!
The “American Hero” Hug
TJ Oshie scored toward the end of the first period. It’s above average hug by NHL standards, but pretty standard fare for the Caps. Oshie’s headpat for new linemate Carl Hagelin was a nice touch.
The “FORTY-NINTH GOAL OF THE SEASON” Hug
Ovi scored his 49th of the season (which would be his 50th, except he keeps passing up on scoring chances to give his teammates goals and give the rest of us anxiety).
The only thing better than goal hugs are goal hugs in slow motion.
The “Wake Me Up Before You Goal-Goal” Hug
John Carlson looks like he woke up from a nap just in time to score the Caps’ third of the game and the 400th point of his NHL career.
The “Empty Net, Empty Celebration” Hug
Nicklas Backstrom got the empty-netter for the last goal of the night, and as you can clearly see from his facial expression, he could not possibly be more thrilled about scoring his 19th of the season.
y'know how cats bring you "presents" and leave them on your doormat & you're like "…thank you for giving me something you value but i do not want this gross thing"
see also: nicklas bäckström when alex ovechkin assists on his goal instead of scoring himself pic.twitter.com/tycb0dcEkx
— b. (@youripides) March 27, 2019
Full RMNB Coverage of Hurricanes at Capitals
For more content and live updates during games, you can follow Brennin on Twitter @youripides!
Headline image: Capitals
