Capitals vs. Predators live updates: Washington leads 3-2 in third period as Cole Hutson and Filip Forsberg have two goals each

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Game preview

The Washington Capitals (7-4-0) are back on the road Thursday night for a special matchup against the Nashville Predators (4-3-5) at Bridgestone Arena.

The game marks Alex Ovechkin‘s final NHL appearance in Music City, another stop on his farewell tour as his legendary 22-year career winds down. Making the occasion even more meaningful, former Capitals head coach Barry Trotz, who led Washington to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, will be inducted into the Predators’ Golden Hall during a pregame ceremony.

The Capitals enter the matchup on the second half of a back-to-back after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Wednesday. Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou each scored twice in the victory while Dylan Strome had a hat trick of assists, helping Washington finish its five-game homestand with a 4-1 record. Now, the Caps will look to carry that momentum into Nashville, where the Predators have earned points in three consecutive games.

Puck drop is at 8 pm on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. Follow along below for live updates and analysis throughout the game.

Lines

Washington Capitals

Nashville Predators

Predators are going with 7D tonight, I suppose in honor Barry Trotz being in the building.

Goaltending matchup

Tunnel shenanigans

1st Period

Barry Trotz is being inducted into Nashville’s Golden Hall.

Trotz does the ceremonial puck drop between Roman Josi and Alex Ovechkin.

Puck is dropped.

Charlie Lindgren stops Filip Forsberg on a breakaway.

Lindgren stands tall on another rush down the ice by the Preds.

Caps have to now kill off a 5v3 power play after Marty high-sticked Stamkos off the faceoff.

Forsberg slams a huge one-timer past Lindgren. Perfect placement.

Cole Hutson takes a huge hit in the offensive zone near the benches from Nils Hoglander. Tom Wilson is furious and skating after him. Now he’s yelling at the Predators bench, discussing the play. That’s my #Tom.

This is the best way to get them back! Wilson forces a turnover as he looks to land a big hit of his own. Hutson then scores from near the goal line on a sharp-angled shot that beats Saros short-side over the shoulder and just under the bar. Insane skill.

At intermission: The game is tied 1-1. Predators lead in shots on goal 11-7.

2nd Period

Puck is dropped.

Wilson deflects a Dylan Strome indirect pass towards the net, but it goes off the post.

Fehervary puts a shot on net from the point, Aliaksei Protas works hard in front of the net, and Boone Jenner finds the loose puck and deposits it past Saros. It’s his fifth goal in 12 games to start his Capitals career.

Filip will never stop haunting the Capitals, as he should.

Matt Roy loses his stick, then in the defensive zone he levels a Predators player which at full speed had the look like a clothesline. It was a legal hit!

Hutson dangles into the middle of the ice and rips a shot off the bar and in, for his second goal of the night.

Ovechkin wide open on the power play but he misses the net as he tries to fake out Saros.

At intermission: The Capitals lead 3-2 and in shots on goal 20-16.

3rd Period

Puck is dropped.

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