Now that the holidays are over, the Washington Capitals are back on the ice and they have a shiny new toy in the lineup.
The game’s greatest goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, is back after a 40-day stay on the injured list. Notoriously lethal in Toronto and on Hockey Night in Canada, it could be a big night for the The Great 8 as he returns to the first line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas. Per Spencer Carbery, Ovi will be a “full go” and not have his minutes restricted.
Other return Ovi coverage
- He’s back
- Alex Ovechkin admits ‘it was hard month’ being out due to injury: ‘You always want to help all your teammates and your team to win’
- Alex Ovechkin, eager to return from injury, has tried hard to remain part of Capitals’ culture while out: ‘I could see him in the showers trying to listen to what was going on’
The Capitals-Leafs game is airing on Monumental Sports Network, NHL Network, and Sportsnet. Joe Beninati and Alan May have the call. Puck drop is shortly after 7:00 pm.
“There’s nothing like playing in Toronto on a Saturday night,” says Alan May.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Toronto Maple Leafs
Tunnel Shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
Leafs have four of the first five shots on goal as the Capitals are having a slow start. Spencer Carbery is not happy at the bench.
🚨 1-0 Toronto Maple Leafs. TOR Goal: John Tavares (18). Assists: S. Benoit (4), M. Pacioretty (7). Time: 02:14.
Benoit’s shot hits off Tavares and in. Pacioretty showing more offensive flair in that one play than entire season with Washington.
🚨 1-1 tie. WSH Goal: Andrew Mangiapane (18). Assists: H. Lapierre (8). Time: 04:46.
Andrew Mangiapane answers 1:32 later, squeaking a shot through Matt Murray. Lapierre got the primary assist, his eighth apple of the season. He has points in 2 of the last 3.
🚨 2-1 tie. WSH Goal: Jakob Chychrun (10). Assists: T. van Riemsdyk (12), T. Raddysh (12). Time: 08:54.
Dancing away from a defender at the blue line, Chychrunset up at the right circle and blasted it home after a great set up by Trevor van Riemsdyk.
It’s quiet in Scotiabank Arena. You could hear crickets.
William Nylander has a layup from point-blank range and somehow Logan Thompson makes the glove save. The Toronto crowd let out a huge WHOAAAA’ when seeing the replay on the jumbotron. Highlight. Reel.
Thompson stops Nylander on a free-and-clear breakaway.
At intermission: The Capitals lead in shots 15 to 14 and five-on-five shot attempts 24 to 19. Some big saves by Thompson keep the Caps in the lead during a high-event first period. The Capitals are 14-1-1 wen leading after two periods.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Dominant shift by the third line. John Carlson hits the post at the conclusion. They were in the zone for about a full minute.
🚨 2-2 tie. TOR Goal: Bobby McMann (10). Assists: M. Domi (10), M. Marner (37). Time: 08:10.
McMann beats Ovi in a foot race and scores on a two-on-one. After his first shot is stopped, he knocks the rebound out of mid-air past Thompson.
🚨 3-2 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Nic Dowd (9). Assists: R. Sandin (11), A. Mangiapane (6). Time: 09:53.
Leafs get the first power play of the game after Aliaksei Protas slashes Oliver Ekman-Larsson at 15:41. Big Pro apologized afterward. What a gentleman.
At intermission: The Capitals lead 3-2, though their energy seemed to be fading at the end of the stanza. The Leafs are outshooting the Caps now 27 to 23. Washington is leading in five-on-five shot attempts, 46 to 44.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Alex Ovechkin’s ice time is a little under 9 minutes through two periods.
Leafs going back to a power play after Pierre-Luc Dubois is whistled for hooking at 02:00.
A shot deflects past Logan Thompson but he catches it before it goes into the net… how??
Jake McCabe stands up Brandon Duhaime hard at the blue line.
A Cap falls over in the defensive zone after trying to receive a soft pass by Hendrix Lapierre. Pontus Holmberg gets a breakaway. Thompson again makes the save.
Andrew Mangiapane draws a penalty on Jake McCabe, giving the Capitals their first power play of the game. Yes, their first power play of the game.
Semi-breakaway for Mitch Marner after a turnover by Jakob Chychrun on the power play, but Thompson, again, makes the save.
Ovi rips his first shot from the left circle on the power play. Murray makes the save. Ovi is caught cursing under his breath after that one.
🚨 4-2 Washington Capitals. WSH PPG: Tom Wilson (14). Assists: J. Chychrun (13), D. Strome (28). Time: 12:36.
A great steal behind the net and a great pass to the point by Dylan Strome. Tom Wilson with a brilliant screen in front and Chychrun’s shot hits him and goes in.
Duhaime hits the post SUPER LOUD. *PING*
Super quiet at Scotiabank Arena again.
🚨 5-2 Washington Capitals. WSH ENG: Alex Ovechkin (16). Assists: A. Protas (16), P. Dubois (22). Time: 16:38.
Ovi’s 869th goal. NICE!
Capitals win 5-2. Toronto outshot the Capitals 37 to 32 and out-attempted them 63 to 55. Logan Thompson arguably stole that game for the Caps.
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