The Washington Capitals should not play on Mondays. The Washington Capitals should definitely play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Mondays. And yet, it’s Monday. And the Caps just played the Blue Jackets. And the Caps got horsewhipped. Here’s how.
Eric Robinson turned a semi-breakaway into an early lead for Columbus. After a scoreless second period, Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two in the third, forcing all the Caps Dads to disown their shameful excuses for sons.
Caps lose. Shutout.
I have a song for this mood.
- The Capitals played a rare stinker against the Blue Jackets exactly one week ago, as we were otherwise having a delightful time at the RMNB birthday party. Something about Torts’ boys doesn’t flatter the Caps. They seem slower and less decisive.
— RMNB (@rmnb) December 17, 2019
- Linesman Kiel Murchison ate a puck late in the first period and did not return. Hope he’s alright. (Blooj defender Andrew Peeke also got hit in the face by a puck, but he came back after missing some time.)
- There are two things Alex Ovechkin likes: to celebration and to goals. He got neither tonight, but not for lack of trying. I lost count after he rung the post with nine shots on goal and four more attempts to his name.
- Therefore I blame Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who was brilliant. The Caps generated more than two expected goals, but Korpisalo was good when he had to be.
- And he really didn’t have to be in the first period, when the Caps got stomped, getting doubled up in shot attempts during five-on-five play. They played much better after that first frame.
a little unwise from Kempny here on the first goal pic.twitter.com/JVOi3KfiK9
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) December 17, 2019
- With perhaps the exception of Michal Kempny, who was on ice for all three Blue Jacket goals. I’ll point you to a story from Luke over at Japers Rink about some ill winds blowing around Kempny. Not loving 6’s play lately.
- So that’s Washington’s first shutout of the season. Their last one was in March. Also against Columbus.
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsJackets pic.twitter.com/dxPaHje8UN
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) December 17, 2019
Welp. Subpar game from the Caps. Subpar game recap from yours truly. Seems like me and the Caps are both a little off right now. I suspect we’ll both turn it around. Perhaps we’ll do it by Friday night, when the Caps visit the Hall-less New Jersey Devils.
