The Washington Capitals are back after the holiday break for an important game against the New Jersey Devils.
What do you need to know before puck drop? Well, uhhh, the Capitals have been almost unwatchable lately, so let’s hope they stop playing poorly. Meanwhile, Jack Hughes is back from his dinner injury and also appears to be dating Tate McRae. I think that covers the important topics.
Logan Thompson will get the start in net against Jake Allen.
Puck drop for today’s game is scheduled for a little after 7 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
New Jersey Devils
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Protas-Strome-Wilson and Chychrun-Roy get the start for the Caps.
New Jersey is outshooting the Capitals 5-0 in the first five minutes of the game.
After the Devils had the first 8 shots of the game, the Capitals have 7 of the last 8.
Glove save by Logan Thompson robbing Cody Glass from the slot.
Ryan Leonard with a big shot down the right wing that’s stopped by Jake Allen’s pad.
3-on-2 between Protas-Strome-Wilson. Protas sends a shot off Allen’s pads that goes right to Strome who finishes the play at 11:58.
New Jersey is challenging the goal for the Capitals being offside on the entry.
No goal. Dylan Strome was offside.
The clock is reset to 8:06.
Anthony Beauvillier and Colton White to the box for matching minors for roughing at 17:31.
Ovechkin with an incredible feed to Aliaksei Protas for a buzzer beater at the end of the first period. Unbelievable.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Aliaksei Protas (14). Assists: A. Ovechkin (18). Time: 19:59
At intermission: The Capitals improbably lead 1-0. The Devils outshot them 15 to 12 in the period.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
The Capitals look horrible to start the period.
Uh oh.
Brandon Duhaime to the box at 4:46 for hooking Brett Pesce. Devils go to their first power play.
Nico Hischier takes a huge Thompson rebound and zing a pass to Bratt who buries it into the yawning net. We’re tied.
1-1 tie
PPG: Jesper Bratt (7). Assists: N. Hischier (20), L. Hughes (17). Time: 4:57
Caps back to the PK again. Another hooking penalty to Brandon Duhaime at 7:15.
Hoping the best for Cole Hutson. Yikes/
The Capitals only have two shots through the first 12 minutes of the period.
Mercer wide open in front of the net, not much to shoot at, Thompson makes the save. The Caps are not being outshot 9-2.
Cody Glass to the box for interfering Anthony Beauvillier at 13:57.
Justin Sourdif wide open in front of the net on the power play. Shoots it into the chest of Allen.
A rarely seen THREE ON NONE. Beauvillier scores, but it hit the post and I was scared for a second there.
2-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Anthony Beauvillier (7). Assists: A. Protas (12). Time: 17:33
Hischier stopped on his backhand on a breakaway.
At intermission: The Capitals lead 2-1. The Devils dominated the period, outshooting the Capitals 15 to 7. They lead overall 30 to 19.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Bratt scores from long range as a seeing-eye shot beats Thompson.
2-2 tie
Goal: Jesper Bratt (8). Assists: O. Palat (6), J. Hughes (11). Time: 7:00
Thirty-two seconds later, the Devils badly flub a two-on-one, but they stick with it and find Cody Glass in front for the go-ahead goal.
3-2 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Cody Glass (8). Assists: C. Brown (7), B. Dillon (8). Time: 7:32
Sandin finds Ovi on the goal line, ending the second-longest goal-less streak of The Great 8’s career.
3-3 tie
Goal: Alex Ovechkin (15). Assists: R. Sandin (9), A. Protas (13). Time: 9:17
Devils putting some serious heat on the Caps goal.
Capitals second line spends about a minute in the offensive zone, pumping shot after shot on Allen but can’t score.
At the end of regulation: the game remains tied 3-3. We’re going to overtime. Devils lead in shots 37 to 31. Devils are the best OT team in the league.
Overtime
Puck is dropped.
The Devils are dominating possession.
Jakob Chychrun scores out of mid-air on his rebound in OT. Wild stuff. Caps win 4-3.
4-3 Washington Capitals
Goal: Jakob Chychrun (15). Assists: N. Dowd (6), D. Strome (21). Time: 4:06
Caps win 4-3 in OT. Not their best outing, but it’ll do.
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