The Washington Capitals are north of the border to take on the surging Ottawa Senators team that has won three in a row and one point out of the final wild card spot in the East.
Led by lovable scoundrel, Brady Tkachuk, the Senators’ are getting a breakout year from Tim Stützle, who has 43 points (14g, 29a) midway through the year. The Sens’ have also received good goaltending from Linus Ullmark (2.38 goals against average and .915 save percentage) though Leevi Meriläinen will get the start in net tonight with Ullmark out with a back injury.
The Capitals will roll with the same lines as they did in their 3-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks. Ethen Frank is on a two-game goal streak and a three-game point streak.
The Capitals-Senators game is airing on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Ottawa Senators
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
A huge save by Logan Thompson on the first shift of the game, denying Nick Cousins from just outside the crease.
Ovechkin muffs a shot on a two-on-one. He had room short side.
Tons of incredible high-danger saves by Thompson in this period.
Tom Wilson with a huge late hit on Jake Sanderson about a second after the buzzer sounds. Wilson is then tackled to the ice by the Ridly Greig. Wilson and Greig both get matching minors for roughing, but Wilson got an extra minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, which will give Ottawa a power play to start the second.
At intermission: It’s 0-0/ This is an incredible back and forth game. The Senators are playing great hockey funneling to the net. Senators have an 8 to 6 lead in shots and and 5v5 shot attempts 20 to 11. Once again, Thompson is saving the Caps’ bacon.
2nd Period
Spencer Carbery is talking to officials after realizing Wilson got an extra minor.
Puck is dropped. The Senators’ power play begins.
Senators don’t score on the man advantage but nearly connect several times.
Nic Dowd to the box for tripping Shane Pinto at 5:20.
Thirteen minutes into the second period, the Capitals have 1 shot.
Dylan Strome to the box for running over the goalie. Senators back to the power play at 17:50.
At intermission: The game remains scoreless. The Capitals had five shots that period – one fewer than the first. Ottawa leads in shots 17 to 11 and in 5v5 shot attempts 32 to 18.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
After a scrum in the corner, Tom Wilson (drops his gloves) and Brady Tkachuk (keeps his gloves on) as they approach the bench. They both get two minutes for roughing as they just wrestled. Both teams to four-on-four.
Claude Giroux slashes Martin Fehervary at 4:19. Caps finally get their first power play.
Mangiapane robbed on the far side of the net by Merilainen on the power play.
Tkachuk screaming in frustration after Thompson robs him on a chance from the left circle.
At the end of regulation: The Senators are outshooting the Capitals 25 to 24 and in 5v5 attempts 45 to 35. Now we got to OVER. TIME.
Overtime
Puck is dropped.
Strome, Protas, and Carlson start it off for the Caps.
Senators win the opening faceoff.
Tom Wilson stopped on a breakaway.
Chychrun wide-open in front of the net but Merilainen with another huge save.
🚨 1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH OTGWG: Alex Ovechkin (21). Assists: R. Sandin (14). Time: 03:07.
Ovi. On a two-on-one. Wow. And he set an NHL record too in the process. It’s career goal number 874. Ovechkin breaks the all-time record for most goalies scored on.
Capitals win 1-0 (OT).
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