Let’s watch some Friday night hockey, shall we? Tonight’s Washington Capitals’ preseason game will be memorable and not just because it may eliminate several bubble forwards from contention for a Capitals roster spot.
The start has been pushed back twice and puck drop will now be at 8:39 pm after the Columbus Blue Jackets had travel issues presumably due to Hurricane Helene.
What to watch for: Alex Ovechkin will play in his second straight game and team up with Dylan Strome and Andrew Mangiapane on the first line. Connor McMichael is moving back to center and will try to create offense with Jakub Vrana and Ethen Frank. Charlie Lindgren will make his preseason debut for the Capitals and play all 60 minutes.
Frank is one of several forwards who will need a big game tonight or could be on his way to getting cut from the Training Camp roster.
Caps-Blue Jackets can be watched on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets finally arrive at 7:15 pm
Time for some Friday night hockey 🏒 at @CapitalOneArena!
Watch 📺 the @Capitals vs. Blue Jackets with @JoeBpXp, @Laughlin18 and @RealSmokinAl on MNMT.
Stream Live 🔗: https://t.co/8OnsEafdVh pic.twitter.com/iSdGhyCWhA
— Monumental Sports Network (@MonSportsNet) September 28, 2024
Capitals hold moment of silence for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Capitals starting lineup
Friday Night Hockey now
Ovechkin – Strome – Mangiapane
Alexeyev – Iorio
Lindgren📺 @MonSportsNet
🖥️ https://t.co/iO8DIoHxwz pic.twitter.com/TaZwb3lrBP— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 28, 2024
1st period
Puck is dropped.
Jakub Vrana sets up Ethen Frank on a high-danger chance in the game’s first minute.
🚨 1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Alex Ovechkin (1). Assists: A. Mangiapane. Time: 06:58.
1st shot of the preseason, 1st goal for Ovi! Read more about the goal.
🚨 1-1 tie. CBJ Goal: Adam Fantilli (1). Assists: D. Voronkov (1). Time: 10:47.
The play was offside but no one cared apparently.
🚨 2-1 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ Goal: James Malatesta (1). Assists: Unassisted. Time: 13:49.
Turnover by Ovi. A breakaway goal for Malatesta. Lindgren had no chance.
🚨 2-2 tie. WSH Goal: Jakub Vrana (1). Assists: C. McMichael (1), J. Carlson (1). Time: 14:09.
12 seconds later, Jakub Vrana responds down the left wing. Read more about the goal.
Alex Ovechkin and Jakub Vrana have both scored in the same game. What is this? Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final?
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) September 28, 2024
At intermission: The Capitals are outshooting the Blue Jackets 10 to 9 and out-attempting them 18 to 11 at 5v5.
2nd period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 3-2 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ Goal: Mathieu Olivier (1). Assists: H. McKown (1), M. Pyyhtia (1). Time: 02:50.
Nicky Leivermann stepped up on the play, giving Olivier the breakaway opportunity.
🚨 4-2 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ Goal: Adam Fantilli (2). Assists: G. Brindley (1). Time: 05:25.
Vincent Iorio and Alex Alexeyev get caught out of position and Fantilli scores on the breakaway five hole. That’s 3 breakaways for the Blue Jackets and 3 goals.
🚨 4-3 Columbus Blue Jackets. WSH PPG: Dylan Strome (1). Assists: A. Cristall (1), J. Chychrun (1). Time: 10:01.
On his backhand, Cristall sets up Strome for a layup. This kid’s got hands. I’m becoming mighty excited about his future.
🚨 5-3 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ PPG: Mikael Pyyhtia (1). Assists: G. Brindley (2), T. Fix-Wolansky (1). Time: 14:49.
At intermission: The Blue Jackets lead in shots on goal 19 to 17.
3rd period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 5-4 Columbus Blue Jackets. WSH Goal: Jakob Chychrun (1). Time: 11:46.
Ethen Frank, out with the first line, keeps the puck alive, sets a screen, and Chychrun scores as the puck bounces off the end boards and to him in front of the net.
🚨 6-4 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ Goal: Adam Fantilli (3). Unassisted. Time: 16:00.
Adam Fantilli scores the hat trick. He ended up with a semi-breakaway after Leivermann tried to clear the puck, but instead sent it right onto the stick of Fantilli down the left wing.
🚨 7-4 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ ENG: Cole Sillinger (1). Unassisted. Time: 18:21.
🚨 8-4 Columbus Blue Jackets. CBJ SHG (EN): Mathieu Olivier (2). Unassisted. Time: 19:37.
Blue Jackets win 8-4. The Blue Jackets outshot the Capitals 27 to 26.
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