The Washington Capitals shook off a very mild losing streak (two overtime losses to Ottawa and Winnipeg) by defeating the champion Florida Panthers, who are still very good.
Andrew Mangiapane got us started with a slick shorthanded shot that Sergei Bobrovsky couldn’t stop. Sam Bennett tied it up with an aggressive forecheck that befuddled Rasmus Sandin.
In the second period. Tom Wilson forced a turnover to score a shorthanded goal in collaboration with Aliaksei Protas. But Aleksandr Barkov got a slick pass from Carter Verhæge and out-maneuvered Jakob Chychrun to keep the score even at 2-2 after two periods.
Lars Eller gave Washington the lead early in the third as he evaded Bobrovsky’s pokecheck. Nic Dowd doubled that lead by crashing the net on a delayed penalty. Matthew Tkachuk finished a pretty rush attack during four-on-four play to make it 4-3 with twelve minutes left. Aliaksei Protas notched an empty-netter, and then with 0.1 seconds remaining (!!!) Alex Ovechkin added another.
Caps win!
- I’m surprised to learn the Caps have only three shorthanded goals this season – well, four after Tom Wilson‘s aggressive check along the blue line to set Aliaksei Protas on the rush. If it matters, and it kinda does, the Caps have scored four shorties and allowed five. In any case, Wilson now has 22 goals on the season. He’s cracked.
- Andrew Mangiapane had been quiet lately, without a point since January 11. His slump-buster wasn’t just a relief; it was thrilling. I have no idea how this got through.
- I don’t play for the Washington Capitals, so I don’t think I can say the Florida Panthers are un-fun to play against, but it sure seems like it. I think Alan May called them “unrelenting.” Paul Maurice doesn’t let opponents get going in the offensive zone during five-on-five play.The Caps needed their goals on a delayed penalty and the PK to win this one.
- Lars Eller still has it. Nate Schmidt expertly defused his chance in the first period, but he was expecting the Bobrovsky’s poke-check in the third. His next goal will bring him to double digits. Frankly, I think he’s been real good since the new year.
- I’m grateful for every tiny little piece of good news in the world, and word that Craig Laughlin’s open-heart surgery was successful is a massive dose of happiness. Always knew that guy had a good heart.
Craig Laughlin stable and recovering after successful open-heart surgery
- After the Dowd goal, things got spicy. Offended by the net-crash, Evan Rodrigues (5’11”, 182lb) mixed it up with Jakob Chychrun (6’2″, 220lb). I wouldn’t.
- Alex Ovechkin couldn’t get anything going – until the very last second. His line wasn’t exactly hard-matched by the Cats, but they were still out-shot by about a two-to-one ratio at my last check. Seventeen to go.
- Logan Thompson has allowed eight goals in his last two appearances. That’s the same amount he had allowed in seven prior appearances.
- Aliaksei Protas is unbelievable. He’s a star.
❤️ #joebsuitofthenight pic.twitter.com/0ZHiOsyX99
— RMNB (@rmnb) February 5, 2025
Gutsy win. Contributions from depth guys, finding goals in dusty corners against a miserable opponent.
Okay, I probably shouldn’t say this, but I’m going to say it. That was the last hard game for the next two and a half weeks, until the Edmonton Oilers come to town. The Caps just have to go to Philadelphia on Thursday and host Utah on Sunday, then it’s break time. A time of rest, relaxation, and recuperation. For the Caps, for Wes, for Craig, for you and me.
