Our heroes, losers of eight of their last 10, are back to play hockey again in an attempt to pick up their fallen crowns. To do so, they must defeat the Los Angeles Kings, and yeah, you’re probably just realizing I just dropped an incredible pun on you. BOOM! Folks, I’m here for a reason. I’m just that good.
Oh, the game. Yeah. so tonight, Charlie Lindgren is jumping back in the crease and John Carlson is returning to the lineup, passing Nicklas Backstrom for the second-most games in franchise history. Mr. Carlson, congrats.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is shortly after 7:00 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Los Angeles Kings
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Protas-Sourdif-Wilson and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
Matt Roy, set up in front of the net, tips home an Aliakei Protas shot from the point. I have so many questions like why was Matt Roy alone in front of the net and why was Matt Roy in front of the net, but heck yeah, whatever, 1-0 Caps.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Matt Roy (1). Assists: A. Protas (6), T. Wilson (9). Time: 3:41
Alex Ovechkin with a rocketship of a one-timer but misses the net high. Like, the glass sound like it broke it was so heavy.
Ryan Leonard off the post after a Ethen Frank centering pass. Leno put his hands on his head like OH NO.
Brian Dumoulin to the box for cross-checking Brandon Duhaime at 10:33.
Tom Wilson stopped by Darcy Kuemper’s pad on a breakaway. Tom loves going to the backhand.
Fiala’s line dominates inside the Capitals zone for about a minute, but Charlie Lindgren makes several big saves.
Frank sets up Duhaime with a shot tip in front of the net but Kuemper comes up big. Frank creating a lot of offense early.
At intermission: The Capitals lead 1-0. The Capitals lead in shots 14 to 8 and 5v5 attempts 22 to 17.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Alex Ovechkin scores his 903rd career goal!
2-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Alex Ovechkin (6). Assists: C. McMichael (5), J. Chychrun (10). Time: 1:51
Alex Ovechkin beats old friend Darcy Kuemper for 903rd NHL goal
Kings to their first power play after Martin Fehervary hooks Corey Perry at 3:13.
Matt Roy off the ice and bleeding after taking a puck to the side of the face.
Caps being really stingy with their defense. Kings struggling to generate much.
Dylan Strome to the box for slashing at 12:16.
Anze Kopitar taps one home after a great set up feed by Corey Perry.
2-1 Washington Capitals
PPG: Anze Kopitar (3). Assists: C. Perry (5), K. Fiala (6). Time: 13:27
Protas misses the net on a wide-open chance. It was pretty much a two-on-none in front of the net.
At intermission: The Capitals lead 2-1. Kings lead in shots 20-18.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas both get chances close to the net, but Kuemper makes the saves.
Another second-line shift. Wide open net. Kumper made the save somehow.
Trevor van Riemsdyk to the box for interference on Quinton Byfield at 5:03.
Lindgren with a huge save on Byfield with 2:06 remaining. Nice stick check by Ovi from behind, too.
Kuemper is off the ice for an extra attacker.
Tom Wilson gets smashed into the boards by Adrian Kempe, but gets high-sticked as Kempe’s stick goes into his face. Protas then took a clear to his knee and was down in a heap. He’s staying on the bench.
Kempe goes to the box for slashing with 34.5 remaining to keep Tom Wilson from scoring on the empty net.
Capitals win 2-1. A nice, quiet win. That’s Spencer Carbery’s 100th career win.
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