The Washington Capitals, who are very good in back-to-backs this season, will look to sweep another one as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio tonight.
The Capitals will have to do so though without Connor McMichael who is still ailing form the flu. Charlie Lindgren will get the start.
Tonight’s game is on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. Puck drop is a little after 7:00 pm.
Lines
Alex Alexeyev and Mike Sgarbossa are the Capitals scratches.
Lineys! #CapsJackets | @JackDaniels_US pic.twitter.com/cfGPSP9lqe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2023
Tunnel weirdness
He's ready.#ALLCAPS | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/31H0fFwY1u
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 21, 2023
1st Period
Charlie Lindgren will oppose Elvis Merzļikins in net. Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
Tom Wilson denied on a breakaway around the 16:30 mark.
Beck Malenstyn takes a delay of game penalty for knocking the puck off the ice in the defensive zone.
🚨 1-0 Caps. On the power play, Anthony Mantha deflects an Alex Ovechkin shot past Merzļikins. Mantha’s 8th goal of the season came at the 18:22 mark of the period. Ovechkin records his 14th assist and John Carlson tallies his 16th on the goal.
The Capitals outshot the Blue Jackets 10-7 but were out-attempted at 5v5 by the Blue Jackets, 14-9.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Alexandre Texier takes a penalty for tripping Martin Fehervary.
From near the point, Alex Ovechkin hits the post on the power play. So close.
Merzļikins makes a huge save on Tom Wilson via the splits after Alex Ovechkin hits him with a perfect slap pass in front of the net. Wow.
🚨 1-1 tie. Caps caught in the zone for a looooong time. From the right circle, Emil Bemström appears to beat a screened Charlie Lindgren. Cole Sillinger was set up in front of the net. The goal came at the 15:17 mark.
🚨 2-1 Caps. Mantha scores again after a brilliant cross-ice feed by Aliaksei Protas. Mantha’s ninth of the season comes at the 17:23 mark of the second.
Blue Jackets flub a two-on-none on Lindgren.
The Blue Jackets are outshooting the Capitals 23-20 and getting dominated in 5v5 shot attempts, 44-23.
The Caps are 11-0-3 when leading after the second period.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 2-2 tie. Yegor Chinakhov beats Lindgren clean from the slot on a beautiful wrist shot. The goal came at the 12:49 mark of the third.
Caps going to overtime for a second straight night! The Blue Jackets outshoot the Caps 35-28 in regulation and 63-36 in 5v5 shot attempts — yikes!!
Overtime
🚨 3-2 Caps. CAPS WINNNN! Alex Ovechkin!!!!! Career goal no. 828. The long goalless streak is finally over.
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