The Washington Capitals defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday after a four-day break in games that included time off for the Christmas holiday.
Not playing with their normal gusto, the Capitals still managed to do just enough to overpower the Leafs. The team got goals from Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun, Tom Wilson, and Nic Dowd. Logan Thompson played out of his mind. And Alex Ovechkin, in his return from a broken fibula, scored an empty netter — the 869th goal of his career.
Post-game, Spencer Carbery addressed his team and praised their play despite difficult circumstances. Pierre-Luc Dubois also awarded Ovechkin the gold chain as player of the game.
Transcript
Spencer Carbery’s victory speech
Spencer Carbery: Those are tough games to play coming out of the break, been off for a little bit, try to get back in the swing of things. But, the third period is what I put my focus on is when we needed to buckle down and put 20 minutes in to get two points out of that game, you did exactly that. Dewey said it, a mature third period.
(Clapping and laughing)
(Barking)
Spencer Carbery: Couple huge f***ing plays in that game, that play by Sandy and Dowder.
(Clapping, players begin yelling “team gifts”, I have no idea what that means)
Spencer Carbery: And this guy f***ing buries the two-on-one then earns the power play.
(Players clap for Andrew Mangiapane)
Spencer Carbery: PP, little hairy to start, f***ing delivers a big goal.
(Players clap)
Spencer Carbery: And this guy was unreal, especially in the third, couple of huge f***ing saves, LT!
(Players clap for Logan Thompson)
Spencer Carbery: All right, men, we’ll take that. We’ll be better tomorrow night. Great f***ing job!
Gold Chain presentation
Pierre-Luc Dubois: Round of good performances. Mange, Jake, LT, Dowder. But the Big Man himself.
(Players yell O, loud clapping, Speeeech)
Alex Ovechkin: Well, first of all, thanks for support. Trainers, intern, great job keeping me in shape, so yeah, happy to be back. Yeah, bands that make her dance.
