After a 6-0 stomping of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, the Washington Capitals are back to face the Chicago Blackhawks at home. The game marks the first time the Capitals have played since the trade deadline passed.
The Capitals dealt three players — Anthony Mantha, Joel Edmundson, and Evgeny Kuznetsov — get picks and cap space for next season.
Without some of their regulars, the Capitals will look and try to keep the good times rolling as the team sits only five points out of the final wild card spot in the East and seven points behind the Philadelphia Flyers in the Metropolitan Division’s third and final guaranteed playoff spot.
To get another two points, the Capitals will need to keep rookie superstar, Connor Bedard, in check while also continuing to get contributions from its young players. Hendrix Lapierre remains on the team’s first line while Ivan Miroshnichenko scored his first NHL goal on Thursday.
Tonight’s game is airing on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. Puck drop will be a little after 7 pm.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Tunnel weirdness
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗪ooohoo#ALLCAPS | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/5p1Q2U4HlY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 9, 2024
1st Period
Charlie Lindgren will oppose Petr Mrazek in net. Pacioretty-McMichael-Wilson and TVR-Carlson get the start.
Hendrix Lapierre draws a tripping penalty on Joey Anderson at 1:23.
🚨 1-0 Capitals. Hendrix Lapierre with a deft deflection in front of the net to give the Capitals the lead. It’s Lapierre’s fifth goal in his last six games. Time of goal 7:01.
🚨 2-0 Capitals. SCOARBOSSA!!!! Mike Sgarbossa scores on his backhand 1:44 later. John Carlson already has a multi-point night after tallying assists on both goals. Time of goal 8:45. Hershey’s number one and number two centers to start the year have both goals to start the game.
Jason Dickinson to the box for holding Aliaksei Protas at 10:40. Caps go to their second power play.
Jarred Tinordi boards Mike Sgarbossa at 13:17.
🚨 3-0 Capitals. Tom Wilson scores on the power play from the bumper spot. Dylan Strome hits him with a perfect pass behind the net for the layup to the opposite side of the net. Time of goal 13:36. It’s Tom’s 15th of the season. Alex Ovechkin registered his 30th assist of the season on the goal.
The Capitals have scored nine unanswered goals if you count the Pittsburgh game.
Aliaksei Protas scores after a brilliant backpass by Connor McMichael, but Max Pacioretty was offside entering the zone.
Max Pacioretty to the box for interference on Philipp Kurashev at 17:17. Not his best game early.
The Capitals are just playing some really good hockey. I feel a lot of pride in this as a fan. I’m really proud for how far they’ve come this season and if *THIS* is how they’re going to play moving forward: I’m excited.
The Capitals and Blackhawks are tied 12 to 12 in shots. The Blackhawks out-attempted the Capitals 13 to 11 at five-on-five.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Capitals to the power play after a too many men penalty by Chicago at 2:36.
🚨 4-0 Capitals. Sonny Milano scores after a perfect set-up feed by Aliaksei Protas on a two-on-one. About as easy as it gets. Time of goal 17:23. It’s Milano’s 10th goal of the season. Protas notched his 23rd assist of the season and his second of the night.
With the tally, Sonny Milano has a five-game goal streak.
Shots on goal are even at 20 to 20.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Tom Wilson slashes Alex Vlasic at 4:30.
🚨 4-1 Capitals. Charlie Lindgren’s shutout is spoiled. Tyler Johnson scores at 9:49.
Tom Wilson back to the box for tripping Philipp Kurashev at 14:16.
TVR hooks Connor Bedard at 18:06.
Protas hurting after blocking a shot from Bedard.
Capitals win. That’s their seventh victory in their last 10. Blackhawks outshoot them 30 to 26.
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