The Washington Capitals took a quick trip down to North Carolina and met up with their good pals in the Carolina Hurricanes. The road squad left the happier side as they slew the Hurricanes 4-3.
The Canes out-shot the Caps 41 to 29 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 52 to 33.
- Per usual, the Hurricanes blitzed their opposition in all of the five-on-five metrics. However, in a story as old as rhyme, the Caps individual talent made up for that discrepancy in a second period that they controlled. That aforementioned period ended up putting the game away.
- Ilya Samsonov is ballin’, y’all. A career high of 38 saves and the only goaltender in NHL history to win each of his first eight career road games in one season and one of just two goaltenders in NHL history to win each of his first eight career road games (Brent Johnson). He leads all rookie netminders. that have played in at least five games, in all of the important goaltending statistics.
- With an assist in this game, Alex Ovechkin is now on a five game point streak. However, at least to me, it feels like he hasn’t scored in years. Maybe I need to pick my head up from my calculator.
For the first time in franchise history, the @Capitals are the first NHL team to register 60 standings points in a season. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/p8rItmw9ay
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 4, 2020
- No Dougie Hamilton does not currently deserve the Norris over John Carlson. And no TJ Oshie banging shoulders with Hamilton was not “out of control” or reckless, nor did it deserve a straight up punch to the back of the head. For which, I think Hamilton should be suspended.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov is on a three game goal scoring streak. Keep it up, Kuzy.
- At 1 PM today, Caps prospect Connor McMichael who is tied for second in goal scoring on Team Canada (3) will suit up against Finland in a semi-final matchup at the World Juniors.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-reference.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Islanders
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
