The last time the Washington Capitals took on the Edmonton Oilers, they got blanked 5-0 at Capital One Arena with Connor McDavid exploding for four points. So one would assume, tonight’s game is nothing but up from there.
The Capitals are getting three regulars back in the lineup — Tom Wilson, Nic Dowd, and Martin Fehervary — while Aliaksei Protas will miss the game due to a lower-body injury. Mike Sgarbossa, after a sensational run, will be a healthy scratch.
Darcy Kuemper will get his first start in a while after Charlie Lindgren suited up in six straight and take on Stuart Skinner in net.
Puck drop is a little after 10 pm. Tonight’s game is airing nationally on TNT.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Scratches: Alex Alexeyev, Michael Sgarbossa
Tunnel weirdness
*sees Willy is back in the lineup*
Ovi: WoOoOoOo#ALLCAPS | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/qiAy0cGCKE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 14, 2024
1st Period
Darcy Kuemper will oppose Stuart Skinner in net. Pacioretty-McMichael-Wilson and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
Nic Dowd high-sticks and bloodies Darnell Nurse at 1:05. It’s a double-minor.
McDavid with an insane carry-in on the Oilers first possession of the power play. He skated through all four Capitals skaters before running out of real estate near the Caps net.
Tom Wilson is aching after blocking a Bouchard shot from the point with his leg.
Capitals kill the first minor.
🚨 1-0 Oilers. Leon Draisaitl, after four different opportunities from the right wing, finally scores on the power play. It’s Draisaitl’s 33rd of the season and his 16th on the power play. McDavid records his 80th assist on the tally. Time of goal 4:35.
If at first you don't succeed, Drai, Drai again 👊 pic.twitter.com/LD6Y6reZmj
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
The Oilers are outshooting the Capitals 8 to 0 in the game’s first six minutes.
Dylan Strome high-sticks Adam Henrique at 6:25. Oilers back to the power play.
🚨 2-0 Oilers. Nobody covers Connor McDavid and McJesus skates down broadway, beating Kuemper blocker side. The PPG is McDavid’s 25th goal of the season. He has 105 points. Time of goal 6:58.
Davo finds a lane 🎳 pic.twitter.com/DZ3hcIaPbq
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
🚨 2-1 Oilers. Ivan Miroshnichenko corrals a loose puck and scores on a no-look fadeaway from the right circle. It’s his second career goal and comes at even strength. Time of goal 8:30.
Capitals showing life after the Miro goal.
Ryan McLeod to the box for holding Nick Jensen along the side boards at 9:19. Capitals to their first power play.
🚨 2-2 tie. After an Alex Ovechkin shot is blocked, Connor McMichael picks up the rebound and scores on the power play. It’s his 13th of the season. Time of goal 10:55. Ovechkin gets the primary assist.
The Capitals have scored on their first two shots of the game. Wild.
🚨 3-2 Oilers. Zach Hyman, alone in front of the net, scores after a McDavid centering pass flutters his way. It’s Hyman’s 44th goal of the season. He has 12 goals in his last 13 games. Connor McDavid earns the primary assist on the play giving him three points in the first period. Time of goal 11:24.
That's 4️⃣4️⃣ on the year for Zach‼️ pic.twitter.com/VzntMEwkfa
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
Say what now?
Zach Hyman ties Wayne Gretzky (1981-82) for the longest home goal-streak in Oilers history (10 games)
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 14, 2024
Stuart Skinner makes a diving stop on Alex Ovechkin, who had a yawning net.
The Capitals were completely outclassed in the first period – yet it’s 3-2. I’ll take it, friends.
The Oilers outshot the Capitals 12 to 5 and in five-on-five shot attempts 12 to 8.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Troy Stecher to the box for tripping TJ Oshie at 2:05.
🚨 4-2 Oilers. Zach Hyman with his second of the night, scoring on a two-on-one with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. It’s his 9th multi-goal game of the season and his 45th goal of the year. Time of goal 14:13.
Hyms on hatty watch 👀 pic.twitter.com/hZl24Yd6fG
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
TJ Oshie to the box for cross-checking Brett Kulak at 18:24.
🚨 5-2 Oilers. Evan Bouchard appears to score on a point shot with Hyman screening in front. It’s his 16th goal of the season. The Oilers have scored on 3 of their 4 PPs this evening.
Another PPG 💪 pic.twitter.com/5J3IIQnluo
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
Troy Stetcher to the box at 19:21 for tripping Connor McMichael.
Oilers outshooting the Capitals 21 to 15 and out-attempting them at five-on-five, 27 to 17.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 6-2 Oilers. Warren Foegele buries a snap shot past Kuemper.
WE HAD A FOE-GOAL IN THERE TOO 👊 pic.twitter.com/rJMHoFbQDT
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
🚨 7-2 Oilers. Connor Brown scores in front of the net. It’s his first goal since March 24, 2022. Oilers fans are throwing hats on the ice for Brown in celebration, garnering a huge smile from the forward.
🚨 BROWNIE'S FIRST AS AN OILER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/hZT2RTE2Re
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 14, 2024
SCORING CHANGE. Hyman has been credited with Bouchard’s second-period goal. He now has a hat trick and 46 goals on the season.
The Oilers outshot the Capitals 37 to 24 and out-attempted them 45 to 38 at five-on-five.
Also:
Tonight's 7-2 loss to the Oilers marks the sixth time this season Darcy Kuemper has surrendered five-or-more goals.
Kuemper's given up three-or-more goals in 20 of his 30 appearances this season.
He's given up six goals once and now a season-worst seven against the Oilers.
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 14, 2024
Read the RMNB recap:
The road trip has started rather poorly: Oilers beat Capitals 7-2
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