Happy Hockey Halloween, everybody! Welcome to the Nightmare on F Street. I’m professional hockey writer Ian Oland and I’m dressed as a Pop Tart. How about you?
The Washington Capitals are back in action against the New York Islanders on this haunted night, and hopefully tonight’s game will not be as ghastly as Tuesday’s matchup against the Dallas Stars, where our dressed-up heroes were shut out 1-0. Like a ghost, the Capitals’ offense has disappeared, and the only spirit to find the back of the net lately is noted goal-scorer Trevor van Riemsdyk after he went haunting through the crease.
Checking the lineup, you might feel a chill up your spine as you notice first-line cemterman Dylan Strome will not play and remains out of the lineup due to injury. Rasmus Sandin is out, too.
Alex Ovech-kinstein remains one goal away from becoming the first player in NHL history to have 900, a netminder’s worst nightmare.
Speaking of the starting Ghoulies, Logan Thompson will be in net for the Capitals and will oppose Ilya Sorokin. Thompson has been the opposite of a complete netmare, winning 5 of his first 7 games and posting a .939 save percentage.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is shortly after 7 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Some Halloween related links
- Washington Capitals’ Halloween costumes
- Brandon Duhaime’s werewolf prank gives Capitals players a fright on Halloween eve: ‘You scared the s*** out of me!’
- Spencer Carbery on Brandon Duhaime’s Halloween prank: ‘The retaliation that Dewey faces after that… it was funny’
Lines
Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Protas-Dubois-Wilson and Fehervary-Carlson get the start.
Alex Ovechkin with an early chance from the side of the net.
Connor McMichael nearly scores between the legs on a rebound chance like Andre Burakovsky last night.
Casey Cizikas to the box for holding at 2:34. Capitals go to their first power play.
The best chance of the Capitals power play goes to the Islanders, but JP Pageau loses control of the puck on a breakaway.
Sorokin with consecutive huge saves on Dubois and Beauvillier.
Seven minutes in, the Capitals have 15 shot attempts and the Islanders have none.
The Islanders finally getting into this game midway through the period.
Pierre-Luc Dubois is in major pain after a faceoff.
At intermission: The game remains tied 0-0. The Capitals are outshooting the Islanders 13 to 6, as they struggled to find their legs in the back-to-back. As Locker said during the coverage, Ilya Sorokin is the first, second, and third star so far tonight.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Andres Lee with an opportunity down low after catching the puck out of the air, but he’s stymied by Thompson, who leads the league in even-strength save percentage at .962 per Monumental Sports Network.
Tom Wilson skates wide to the net and scores on a layup as literally everyone on the ice is looking the other direction. Wilson is on pace for 45 goals. Unreal start to the year for this guy.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Tom Wilson (6). Assists: J. Chychrun (4), M. Roy (1). Time: 4:48
Islanders to their first power play after Hendrix Lapierre trips Kyle MacLean at 6:55.
Capitals kill the penalty.
Logan Thompson absolutely robs Jonathan Drouin on a semi-breakaway, nabbing the puck out of the air with his outstretched catching glove. That was one of his best stops of the year. Oh my.
Brandon Duhaime to the box for holding at 12:10.
Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson completely shank a two-on-one break shorthanded.
Back the other way, Barzal fires a huge one-timer from the left circle, but LT makes the save. Guy is just so sharp right now.
Tom Wilson draws a penalty on Calum Ritchie at 14:43 and – oh gosh, Tom dived. Big time. Haha.
Holmstrom to Pageau. WHAT A SHORTY.
1-1 tie
SHG: Jean-Gabriel Pageau (3). Assists: S. Holmstrom (4). Time: 14:58
The Capitals are challenging for offside.
Failed challenge. Capitals assessed another penalty for delay of game. Looks like Pageau kept his skate hovering just enough at the blue line to stay onside, maybe by one centimeter.
Caps will basically finish the period on a power play with Calum Ritchie taking a two minute hooking penalty on Jakob Chychrun at 17:50.
At intermission: The game’s tied 1-1. Capitals could lose this one if they’re not careful. Capitals lead in shots 19 to 16.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Jakob Chychrun to the box for delay of game at 1:23.
Protas and Wilson have a shorthanded chance, but Sorokin makes a big save. Both special team units have been dangerous tonight.
On a 2-on-1 break back at 5v5, Horvat beats Thompson short side with a perfectly placed shot.
2-1 Islanders
Goal: Bo Horvat (7). Assists: E. Heineman (2), R. Pulock (5). Time: 04:29
Anders Lee to the box at 6:16 for tripping Justin Sourdif.
Pageau blocks two Ovechkin shots – one broke his stick, he got the other with his leg.
Chychrun walks up broadway and misses the net from the slot. You gotta score on that.
Islanders kill the penalty.
Tony DeAngelo hauls Ryan Leonard down in front of the net — no call.
Of course. Nic Dowd hauls Adam Pelech down to the ice and now he’s off to the box for holding at 12:02.
Logan Thompson off the ice for an extra attacker with 1:28 remaining.
Isles empty netter.
3-1 Islanders
ENG: Mathew Barzal (3). Unassisted. Time: 18:44
Caps lose 3-1. Caps offensive/finishing woes continue. Third straight loss.
Halloween horror show extends losing streak: Islanders beat Capitals 3-1
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