A new day, but yet another Metropolitan Division matchup for the Washington Capitals. A rare afternoon start against their friends from the Island and the last Caps hockey before the big all star break. What a game!
Alex Ovechkin stayed hot to open scoring on a breakaway. Brock Nelson was offside to tie the game at one and Casey Cizikas banked one off of Radko Gudas’ skate to give the Isles a lead. Jordan Eberle banked one off Braden Holtby to extend said lead. Devon Toews with one more.
Carl Hagelin opened the third jamming one home in front and that guy Ovechkin again drew the Caps even closer. Tom Wilson deflected home a Dmitry Orlov blast to tie. Jakub Vrana with the game winner. Ovi hat trick empty netter.
Caps beat Islanders 6-4!
- I never will understand how the Islanders win games with how the numbers look in every game they play, so I’m just gonna avoid those altogether today. Felt like the Caps started well, but refball then started and the Isles took all of the momentum. That gives you your New York lead after twenty minutes.
- Alex Ovechkin tied and then passed Mario Lemieux (690) for tenth all time in NHL goals scored at 692 with ANOTHER hat trick. That’s it. That’s the bullet. His first time ever having three straight multi goal games and it’s eight in three games.
- Those first two penalty calls in the first period really sum up usual NHL officiating. Make horrid call. Punish team you gave said call to by making a horrid call against them to even it up. Just pure, fantastic logic. In my opinion, Brock Nelson was also offside before his goal as I don’t think he touched the puck from “entry” until it was at the redline. The Caps never, ever challenge those unless they are 100-percent sure. Not a great period for the guys in stripes.
Capitals is PP 3-for-27 (11.1%) with three SHG against over past seven games, including 0-for-4 today.
It's been struggling for longer than that (10-for-71/14.1% and 5 SHG since Dec. 3), but has taken another downturn over past two weeks.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 18, 2020
- The second period felt like a sloppy mess and the Caps power play was inept yet again. I still think not enough is being done to change that unit. Same s word, different day. Blaine, man. Lets do some coaching there that isn’t just, “Hey Ovi, you and John switch spots one time.”
- Cant fault Braden Holtby for the first two, but man the second two. Dude is just simply not good enough this season. The Caps are very lucky the break is here, because I would wager that they would not be able to start Holts over Ilya Samsonov regularly right now.
- Speaking of Ilya, he was utterly fantastic in relief.
- The Isles take so many small uncalled penalties, it drives me nuts. Likely how other teams felt when they played the Trotz led Capitals.
“Grandma texted me and said 'don't do that again…’”
Jesperi Kotkaniemi on his first #NHL fight: https://t.co/8FAKMDczmT #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/vNcBP5CYlj
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 18, 2020
- Fantastic third period and the Caps were right back in the game. Tied it all up with five minutes left in regulation. Won it with 2:30 left. Oh my word.
- Carl Hagelin is a noted second half player and potted his second in as many games. Good sign.
- Reminder again just how lucky we are to have watched/watch the career of Alex Ovechkin.
Blue and green checker pattern #JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsIsles pic.twitter.com/3cx4yDKh4m
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) January 18, 2020
Saying adios to Caps game recaps for a whole week and then some. Enjoy the all star break!
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Islanders
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
