The Washington Capitals ended their season series with the New Jersey Devils with a fun, plucky win. And your boy scored twice.
Connor McMichael scored in the game’s first minute after flawless neutral-zone play by Anthony Mantha. Alexander Holtz scored after TJ Oshie got tricked, tying it 1-1 after one period. The lone goal of the second belonged again to Connor McMichael, and it was the best goal of his career to date.
Dylan Strome crashed the net to give the Caps a two-goal lead in the third, then Alex Ovechkin extended it with a tricky shot after an offensive-zone faceoff. Mike Sgarbossa brought us into blowout territory with a cleanup in the crease. Erik Haula’s quick backhand kept the Devils alive for a bit, but a late-game penalty by the Devils allowed Alex Ovechkin to get his second of the night and seal this one away.
Caps win!
Never miss the chance to esta noche bailamos.
- I usually save the goalie stuff ’til the end of the recap, but I’m switching it up tonight. Charlie Lindgren stole this game. The Capitals gave the Devils two power plays in the middle frame, and the Devils unleashed an enfilade. Lindgren stopped 1.18 expected goals just in those four minutes along. If I recall, Lindgren stole one against the Devils earlier this season.
- When I say the goalie stole the game, the implication is that the losing team outplayed the winners. That was definitely the case everywhere tonight except the nets. But credit also belongs to Washington’s goal scorers, who were very appreciated in this one.
- Connor McMichael had his first two-goal game, and that second goal was a beaut. I think you know by now that I’m a McMichael partisan, but I didn’t know he had those moves in him.
- Nic Dowd left the game late in the first period. He did not return. The Caps say he’s got an upper-body injury. It better not be serious.
- In the enemy’s jersey, ex-Cap Jonas Siegenthaler played his first game in more than a month. Siegenthaler, a player I adore, has been on a steep decline over the past year and a half. Now that his team is done playing the Caps, I hope he can get back to his previous heights.
- The Devils controlled play overall, but Alex Ovechkin‘s line in particular got throttled, except when they didn’t. Lindy Ruff threw Luke Hughes out against Ovi a lot, which was very successful until Ovi hit Strome for a redirect. The younger Hughes was not on the ice when Ovechkin scored his 15th of the season. He added his 16th in the final minute. Ovi’s got eight goals in his last eight games.
- FTR, I wasn’t ever worried about Ovechkin. He’s been so due. This is the universe paying him back for four months of bad bounces. Let’s enjoy it.
Let's go. PMA only. #joesuitofthenight pic.twitter.com/000zVAD3pU
— RMNB (@rmnb) February 21, 2024
Great game. The Caps got caved in for a while but finished their chances as their goalie frustrated the Devils. And, usually timid protecting a lead in the third, the Caps played their best hockey of the night late. I’m not even going to complain about shot differential; I had fun!
See you Thursday for the Bolts.
