This really stunk. Sure, the Capitals lost on Andre Burakovsky’s birthday, but also losing to teams in Florida isn’t fun. BUT there was a point! Gotta find that silver lining, folks.
The Caps went down 2-0 in the first as the Panthers made their chances count. Birthday boy Andre Burakovsky teamed up with Brett Connolly to get the Caps on the scoreboard, but Colton Sceviour deflected Ekblad’s shot in response. Lars Eller drew the score close before the the second period ended, but the third opened with a near-instant goal by Derick Brassard. Andre Burakovsky and Brett Connolly teamed up again to make it a one-goal again for the final ten minutes. Evgeny Kuznetsov tossed the puck to the back of the net to tie the game up. Brett Connolly took a dumb penalty for the Panthers to be on a PP for 1:51 to begin overtime. Overtime came and overtime ended with a Panthers goal.
Caps lose 5-4.
- Before we begin, Alex Ovechkin continues to be a very good human.
Ask for a puck, pick up a stick.@ovi8 BEST! pic.twitter.com/Cjl4KlrdL1
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 9, 2019
- The third line was electric, so let’s get into that.
- Lars Eller broke a 13-game drought. He also seems to whip against the Panthers; he has points in six of his last seven games against them.
- Speaking of the Lars Eller goal, it marked the 11th time this season the Capitals have scored in the last minute of a period.
- Andre Burakovsky scored last game and added two assists on Saturday, also his 24th birthday. What were you doing on your 24th birthday? Probably not playing an NHL game. Worst part about Andre playing so well? It increases his trade value. 🙁
- And Brett Connolly had a three-point game. That marks his second career three point night (Feb. 11, 2016) and his third career two goal game (Dec. 1, 2014 and Jan. 18, 2018).
- Somehow, inexplicably, in a miscarriage of justice, Christian Djoos got busted for this “elbowing”:
Christian Djoos: Two minutes for existing pic.twitter.com/lEnixfCfM1
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 10, 2019
- Evgeny Kuznetsov tossed the puck at a hard angle to tie the game up 4-4 with his 13th goal of the game. He has five goals and six assists in his past seven games. Flap those wings, you beautiful bird boy.
- As for Braden Holtby? He allowed four goals in regulation, but his teammates didn’t do him any favors. They gave the Panthers a glut of shots from the slot that made their goalie’s job much harder.
- Did Joe B get new glasses? Lookin’ SO sharp.
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsPanthers It’s brown for Hockey Night In Washington pic.twitter.com/pebHInUphj
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 10, 2019
You’re probably wondering “So….where are the Caps right now?” Allow Ian to explain:
The Caps have not been playing good hockey over the last month or so and that’s continuing tonight against the Panthers. They’re 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. They are only 3 points ahead of the Penguins for the final wildcard spot in the East. They better get it together & quick pic.twitter.com/CSXR4AOkxK
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 10, 2019
If the Capitals struggle in March, there is a very real possibility they could miss the playoffs – especially if a PDO team like the Islanders make the final 8. The Caps play a ton of those Metro teams fighting for playoff spots and 3 games against Tampa. pic.twitter.com/nFaXlARq9l
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 10, 2019
Get some rest, we’ll see you on Monday when the Capitals continue their homestand and host the LA Kings.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Panthers
Headline photo: Rob Carr
