After falling to Edmonton and San Jose, the Capitals bounced back against the Los Angeles Kings with an unlikely 2-1 win where they were buried in shots on goal.
Now they will play their second game in less than 24 hours against the Anaheim Ducks, going for a sweep of their back-to-back. The Ducks should be easier to handle that the Kings last night: they’ve lost seven consecutive games.
Darcy Kumper will start in net and Hendrix Lapierre will get a jersey over Matthew Phillips.
Tonight’s game is on Monumental Sports Network and puck drop is a little after 10:00 pm (EST). Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call.
Tom Wilson’s 700th career game
Lines
Matthew Phillips, Alex Alexeyev, and Lucas Johansen are the Caps’ scratches.
Lineys!#CapsDucks | @JackDaniels_US pic.twitter.com/uHQkJJuQLF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 1, 2023
1st Period
Darcy Kuemper will oppose John Gibson in net. Malenstyn-Dowd-Aube-Kubel and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
🚨 1-0 Capitals. Anthony Mantha makes a steal and scores a beautiful backhanded shot from no angle. He’s on fire. The goal came 1:27 into the period.
Mo' goals on the road for Mantha pic.twitter.com/CRUPAk3ppf
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 1, 2023
🚨 1-1 tie. On the very next shift, the Capitals turn the puck over and Tristan Luneau beats Darcy Kuemper after Nick Jensen blocks the initial shot attempt. It only took the Ducks 22 seconds. The goal was Luneau’s first NHL goal.
🚨 Luneau 🚨
His first NHL goal!!!#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/AZ08OMTUcc
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 1, 2023
Tom Wilson to the box for boarding. Ducks get the first power play.
🚨 2-1 Ducks. Brett Leason bites the former hand that feeds, scoring on a rebound in front of the net.
🚨 Leason 🚨
Leo drives and Leason finishes!
We lead 2-1.#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/PmUJsl4W1L— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 1, 2023
Capitals get power play… and it ends 29 seconds later after Tom Wilson takes another penalty.
🚨 2-2 tie. Tom Wilson forces a turnover in the defensive zone, races in alone on a breakaway, and scores on his backhand. The goal comes at the 15:54 mark.
🚨 3-2 Capitals. Tom Wilson scores on the power play. It’s his second of the night and the Capitals’ first PPG since October 27.
🚨 4-2 Capitals. Nic Dowd scores with a deflection. That’s three unanswered goals for the Caps.
The Capitals are outshooting the Ducks 13-10, but the Ducks have on more shot attempt at five-on-five, 16-15.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
This period has been a lot more methodical.
The Ducks are outshooting the Capitals 25-17 and out-attempting Washington at 5v5, 32-21.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Capitals have a 1:18 two-man advantage.
Anthony Mantha has a breakaway during a four-on-four and is stopped, but a beautiful move.
🚨 4-3 Capitals. Brock McGinn knocks the puck into the net backwards. Hard to explain that one. Super skill there.
🚨 5-3 Capitals. Tom Wilson scores in front of the net on the power play again. It’s his first career hat trick!
🚨 5-4 Capitals. Frank Vatrano gets the Ducks within one with 28 seconds to go after Darcy Kuemper is unable to cover the puck.
Caps hold on to win 5-4 as a last-second Ducks shot misses the target. The Ducks outshot the Capitals 32-26 in the game and out-attempted them 42-25 at five-on-five.
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