The Washington Capitals, who seemed like a postseason slam dunk two weeks ago, are now fighting for their playoff lives after losing five straight games, including four in regulation.
To say tonight’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators is important would be an understatement. The Capitals (82) currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference playoff race, two points behind the Detroit Red Wings (84) who currently own the second wild card spot with Pittsburgh (83) and Philadelphia (83) ahead of them. The New York Islanders, after a four-game winning streak, now occupy the third and final playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
Tonight’s game is on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. John Carlson will be honored before the game for reaching 1,000 games.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Scratches: Vincent Iorio and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. (TJ Oshie hurt.)
Ottawa Senators
Scratches: Dominik Kubalik. (Tim Stutzle and Travis Hamonic are hurt.)
Tunnel weirdness
Have a day, 74#Carly1K | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/agddq48Rhr
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 7, 2024
1st Period
Charlie Lindgren will oppose Joonas Korpisalo in net. Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
🚨 1-0 Capitals. Unguarded, Max Pacioretty scores on a layup after a heads up pass by Hendrix Lapierre. The tally came on the Capitals’ second shot of the game. Assists: Hendrix Lapierre and Sonny Milano. Time of goal: 4:43. It’s only Pacioretty’s fourth of the season, breaking an 18-game goalless streak.
Four total shots in the first 10 minutes of this barnburner.
Capitals-Senators game paused briefly due to Joonas Korpisalo being blinded by the sun
Capitals will have a power play after Mark Kastelic takes a double minor for roughing at the buzzer. Tom Wilson also got a minor for roughing as well.
Ottawa outshot the Capitals 5 to 4 in the first period, but 5v5 shot attempts were a disaster. Senators out-attempted Washington 28 to 13.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Mathieu Joseph to the box for tripping Connor McMichael at 1:13. Capitals to a 5-on-3 PP.
🚨 1-1 tie. Mark Kastelic scores on his backhand 5:40 into the period. Tie game. Assists: Jakob Chychrun and Parker Kelly.
🚨 2-1 Capitals. Working hard in front of the net, Aliaksei Protas finds a gift rebound and shoots the puck into an empty net. It breaks a 16-game goalless streak for Protas. Assists: Trevor van Riemsdyk and Martin Fehervary. Time of goal 17:10.
The Capitals are outshooting the Senators 12 to 11 heading into the locker room for intermission.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Senators hit the post on the first shift. Holy moly.
Max Pacioretty to the box for tripping at 4:07. Big kill here.
Ridly Greig to the box for slashing Max Pacioretty at 6:39.
Connor McMichael to the box for high-sticking Brady Tkachuk at 10:44.
🚨 2-2 tie. Ridly Greig beats Charlie Lindgren from the slot on the power play.
The Capitals take a timeout to review the play for offside entering and goaltender interference, but they opt not to challenge.
The Capitals outshot the Senators 21 to 20 at the end of regulation. They earn at least one standings point!
Overtime
Puck is dropped.
🚨 3-2 Senators. With a screen in front, Jake Sanderson wrists a shot past Charlie Lindgren for the OTGWG. Assists: Ridley Greig and Brady Tkachuk. Time of goal 0:41.
The Capitals have now lost six-straight games.
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