The Washington Capitals opened their preseason campaign with a 4-3 win in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. Things were even on the scoresheet and in shots, with the deadlock broken by the good guys in OT.
Your Caps goal scorers in regulation were Damien Riat, Travis Boyd, and Aliaksei Protas. Tom Wilson won it in overtime.
Damien Riat goal, 1-1
We're on the board! Nifty pass from McMichael and Riat finishes it. #ALLCAPS #CapsHawks pic.twitter.com/mnxcRwBVGX
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 17, 2019
Travis Boyd goal, 2-2
Boyd on the PP ties it up #ALLCAPS #CapsHawks pic.twitter.com/8XcopKJd15
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 17, 2019
Aliaksei Protas goal, 3-2
Protas🔥#ALLCAPS #CapsHawks pic.twitter.com/xKMwFUUikN
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 17, 2019
Tom Wilson goal, 4-3
OK TOM. pic.twitter.com/JzkXUJ1npF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 17, 2019
Additional notes
- Aliaksei Protas had an impressive game, tallying two assists and a goal. Protas will play the 2019-20 season with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, where RMNB’s Chris Cerullo noted following the draft that he was “going to be a standout.” That was definitely not hard to believe after this game.
- Former Little Cap, and current Capital, Joe Snively notched his first preseason point with an assist on Protas’ goal. Snively also tallied three points — a goal, and two assists — at the Prospect Showcase.
- There was a lot to love about Connor McMichael’s game tonight, and he especially looked good on the dot for an 18-year-old. Of the 10 faceoffs that he took during the game, he won 5, most of them cleanly. McMichael also tallied an assist from his knees on Damien Riat’s goal.
- Tom Wilson was the only Capital wearing a letter tonight, getting the A. And I have to say, it looked mighty fine on him.
- Damien Riat’s professional hockey experience with the Swiss league’s EHC Biel-Bienne shone through tonight. He is offensively talented and a huge physical presence. It would be great to see that talent over in North America, but Riat still has a year remaining on his two-year contract with EHC Biel-Bienne.
- >Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson were both in attendance to watch the Capitals in action.
- The Capitals and Blackhawks were even in shots and goals heading into overtime, with three goals apiece and 28 shots. The deadlock was broken in overtime with a highlight-reel goal from
captainTom Wilson for the game-winner. - Pheonix Copley was solid in net all game, stopping 27 of the 30 shots he faced. Copley also picked up an assist on the overtime game-winning goal, along with Aliaksei Protas.
My positive impressions have only grown since. Skating is further along than I initially thought. Uses his big reach so well too.
— Chris Cerullo (@CJC_95) September 17, 2019
John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom at the Caps first preseason game. (Photo: @hannahverde) pic.twitter.com/i4opXBkPEg
— RMNB (@russianmachine) September 17, 2019
Oh, and of course, most importantly…
It's that time again #JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsHawks #PreseasonHockey pic.twitter.com/M0j6V7qo2y
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) September 16, 2019