The still walking wounded Capitals had the pleasure of hosting the Vancouver Canucks for the first time since that crazy comeback victory from earlier in the season. This time did not go so well for the good guys, as they fell 2-1 in a lengthy shootout to Jacob Markstrom and the Nucks.
- Yes, both Jacob Markstrom and Braden Holtby were equally as unflappable in the 65 minutes that preceded the shootout. But, the Caps were the clear better team through 40 minutes and I think were just about to crack the levee that was Markstrom…until they had a rather disappointing third period. In a tie game at home, at five-on-five in said period the Caps were out-attempted 19 to 13, out-scoring chanced 8 to 3, and out-high danger chanced 4 to 2. That feels like the decider to me, not the skills competition.
- Jakub Vrana continues to shine in what looks to be his breakout-breakout season. Jake sniped home his 11th goal of the season, all of which have come at even strength. He trails only Alex Ovechkin for the team lead in goal scoring.
- I thought the Caps first line was probably their best. Notably Tom Wilson and Evgeny Kuznetsov as the standouts from the entire team’s forward base. In his around 16 minutes of ice at five-on-five, Wilson had four each of individual shot attempts, scoring chances, and high danger chances.
Wilson's 94 hits this season rank second in the NHL. With his nine goals this season, he is one of two players in the NHL that has recorded at least 60 hits and nine goals (Alex Ovechkin: 65 hits, 15 goals). https://t.co/sX8EQFhETj
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 23, 2019
- Not a great night for a very banged up and out of sorts Capitals bottom six forwards. The returns of key forwards from injury/suspension will hopefully provide stability again soon.
- I will always question the idea to go with defensemen in a shootout over forwards. This time was no different.
- Friday night, Caps 2019 first round draft pick Connor McMichael scored the third hat trick of his young season and recorded his 50th point in only 20 games played so far for the OHL’s London Knights. McMichael has six games in hand on Arthur Kaliyev who is the only player ahead of him in scoring in the OHL with 51 points.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-reference.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Canucks
Headline photo: SportsNet
