The Washington Capitals’ homestand continues tonight with a game against the Anaheim Ducks and only one thing matters.
Now, it’s not two points. They must exact revenge on Jacob Trouba for injuring Ryan Leonard last month. Trouba, who has escaped suspension somehow on like 20 bad hits, needs to learn a lesson — as well as the rest of the league — you don’t hit our players like this.
Dylan McIlrath is in — surely he will approach Trouba quickly in this one — while the Capitals will be without Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas due to injury. The Caps are going with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen with their two big rigs out. You know what: how about throw McIlrath out on the wing a few shifts. Surely, he’ll meet up with Trouba at some point.
Usually, I’m not this thirsty for face-punching, but tonight, I hope someone on the Capitals makes me proud.
Puck drop for today’s game is scheduled for a little after 7:00 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Anaheim Ducks
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. McMichael-Sourdif-Leonard and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
Alex Ovechkin takes a hooking penalty 40 seconds in. He is really mad about the call but it was absolutely correct. He got his stick up high on Olen Zellweger as he drove the net for a scoring chance.
Matt Roy crushes Leo Carlsson on the power play.
Sonny Milano driving the center lane wide open, gets a pass, and then misses the net with his shot.
Failed clear by TVR, miscoverage by Dylan Strome, leaves Chris Kreider wide open for a one-timer.
1-0 Anaheim Ducks
Goal: Chris Kreider (14). Assists: O. Zellweger (11). Time: 6:33
Duhaime and Trouba drop the gloves off the opening faceoff. Props to Duhaime, but he did’t land much of anything. This was like a heavyweight vs middleweight bout. Both are off the ice for five minutes each for fighting.
Anaheim has 7 of the first 9 shots on goal 9 minutes through the game.
Alex Killorn grabs John Carlson at 10:39 and the Capitals are getting their first power play.
Alex Ovechkin misses with a one-timer by a mile.
Ovi wide open again, he sends a hard slap pass to Ryan Leonard wide open in front of the net, but the biscuit jumps off his stick into the corner. The crowd got loud anticipating a goal, but no dice.
Caps telecast mentions this is the 14th time Dylan Strome has played his older brother Ryan Strome in his career.
Roy lobs it into the zone… Connor McMichael wins a puck battle in offensive zone and sends a pass right to Sourdif, who buries it from the slot. What a snipe.
1-1 tie
Goal: Justin Sourdif (6). Assists: C. McMichael (17), M. Roy (12). Time: 15:56
OH SOURDS IS FEELIN’ IT TONIGHT. Another snipe! Let’s go.
2-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Justin Sourdif (7). Assists: C. McMichael (18). Time: 18:58
At intermission: Justin Sourdif leads the Ducks, 2-1. The Caps lead in shots 11 to 10.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Another great feed by Connor McMichael finds Matt Roy, but he can’t finish the play.
A Trouba shot gets deflected past Lindgren but it hits the top of the goal … [wipes brow]
Dylan McIlrath and Ross Johnston drop the gloves at 5:21. Big Mac one that one handily.
The best revenge! Leonard takes a pass from Sourdif and beats Mrazek short side.
3-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Ryan Leonard (9). Assists: J. Sourdif (9), C. McMichael (19). Time: 5:54
Justin Sourdif with his first career hat trick after a sensational pass by Leonard finds him wide open near the crease. Four points for Sourdif (3g, 1a) and Connor McMichael (4a).
4-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Justin Sourdif (8). Assists: R. Leonard (16), C. McMichael (20). Time: 18:58
Alex Ovechkin’s 913th career goal! Left circle snipe. This game is wild!
5-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Alex Ovechkin (8). Assists: M. Fehérváry (10), J. Carlson (22). Time: 8:52
Ryan Strome gets a penalty shot but is stopped by Charlie Lindgren.
5-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Alex Killorn (3). Assists: R. Johnston (10). Time: 12:56
Oh no, Trouba scores. It’s a game again.
5-3 Washington Capitals
Goal: Jacob Trouba (7). Assists: T. Terry (27). Time: 14:12
Ryan Leonard now gets a penalty shot. He dekes Mrazek out, but OH NO HE HITS THE POST.
John Carlson to the box for hooking Alex Killorn at 19:45.
At intermission: The Caps lead 5-3. This is getting a little too close to comfort. Shots are 28 to 24 Ducks.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped. Lukas Dostal is in for Mrazek.
Caps kill the penalty.
Now we’re really getting too close for comfort. You could see this one coming. Ducks were dominating the period.
5-4 Washington Capitals
Goal: Beckett Sennecke (14). Assists: C. Gauthier (20), J. LaCombe (18). Time: 9:22
Sennecke wide open in front of the net, Lindgren closes the pads to make the save.
Dostal leaves the ice for an extra attacker with about 1:40 remaining.
Carlson scores an empty netter from deep in the defensive zone.
6-4 Washington Capitals
ENG: John Carlson (9). Assists: N. Dowd (8). Time: 18:46
7-4 Washington Capitals
ENG: Alex Ovechkin (17). Assists: J. Sourdif (10). Time: 19:18
Capitals win 7-4! Charlie Lindgren had 41 saves.
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