The Washington Capitals wrapped up the west coast portion of their six-game road trip against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night. The Caps were looking for just their second win in their last seven games.
Jared McCann opened the scoring early in the second period with the Kraken on a power play. McCann made it two in the game for himself and the Kraken later in the second. Jordan Eberle added another after McCann rang the post.
Instead of McCann getting his hat-trick goal, the Capitals got their first goal of the game from Alex Ovechkin. Ryker Evans banked a puck off Tom Wilson and in. Matty Beniers for five.
Kraken beat Capitals 5-1.
- The Capitals are still having a really tough time generating shots. They left the first period with just four compared to Seattle’s 13. However, they controlled the majority of the best chances in the first frame, notching five high-danger chances compared to the Kraken’s three. Again, though, none of those chances were converted into goals. The same problem for 54 games now.
- Speaking of addressing the problem of scoring goals, what do you think about Jordan Kyrou’s name getting tossed around by hockey insiders as a good fit for the Capitals? Not having a great season, but perhaps a great change-of-scenery candidate?
- This team playing without Matt Roy for a game should show you how important he is to the lineup. Trevor van Riemsdyk has always been one of my faves, but I think it’s clear he’s lost a step, and, in my opinion, Dylan McIlrath shouldn’t be on an NHL roster. The Caps were also without Rasmus Sandin on the left side, as both he and Roy missed out due to lower-body injuries.
- Wow, if the Capitals don’t make the playoffs and you want to point to a single period as the probable end of the season, that second period might have been it. The team just couldn’t get out of their own way and had zero energy, life, or fight back after going down one, two, or three goals. A lot was being said about “lucky” bounces for the Kraken, but you tend to get “lucky” in the NHL if you shoot the puck towards the goal. The Capitals had 11 total shots after 40 minutes.
- Hendrix Lapierre stared at Jared McCann wide open at the back post on McCann’s second goal. Not long after, Dylan McIlrath shoveled a backhand “clearing attempt” right up the middle only to Kraken players and was spared further humiliation by Logan Thompson. If I had it my way, these are not guys who would be on the Capitals’ roster after this road trip. Time for some new faces to get a chance. There are plenty of guys having phenomenal years in the AHL if there is no interest in making trades.
- The power play gets deserved criticism and complaining all the time, but the penalty kill probably deserves just as much. With one goal allowed on two Kraken opportunities, they now rank 25th in the league at killing penalties. I think there needs to be coaching decisions made in the summer for both units.
- The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils made an interesting trade on Tuesday. The Islanders took on Ondrej Palat’s contract and received two draft picks in return. If the Capitals continue to fall off, I would not be surprised if they seek that sort of move at the deadline. I think the Caps are unlikely to become actual sellers, no matter which direction the season goes in the final stretch.
- They were better in the third, but that was only until the Kraken scored again. After that, they gave up some more. I guess Brandon Duhaime got into a pointless fight that he quickly lost. The guy who always fights getting into a fight isn’t going to change the team’s temperature.
- What an absolutely bizarre review to take Seattle’s fourth goal off the board. Jared McCann had his hat-trick goal, a whole host of Kraken fans threw their hats on the ice, and then the refs met to review an apparent missed double-minor for high-sticking. After an extended pause, they indeed called Matty Beniers for high-sticking Justin Sourdif and drawing blood. So, goal off the board, and the Capitals to a four-minute power play. Got it? Me neither.
- On the ensuing man advantage, Alex Ovechkin scored his 22nd goal of the season and 919th of his career. What a turn of events.
- So, on to you, Chris Patrick and company.
The Capitals are off on Wednesday as they head to Detroit, the final destination of this unsuccessful road trip. They’ll play the Red Wings on Thursday night.
