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Game preview
The Washington Capitals (8-4-0) are back home Sunday afternoon, hosting the Minnesota Wild (9-3-3) at Capital One Arena as they look to extend their winning streak to four games.
The Capitals are coming off a successful mid-week back-to-back, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Wednesday before outlasting the Nashville Predators 4-3 on Thursday. Rookie defenseman Cole Hutson was the star in Nashville, scoring twice in the first multi-goal game of his NHL career. Alex Tuch has also been red-hot, scoring 10 goals in his first 12 games, including an NHL-leading five game-winners.
The Capitals will face a tough test against a Minnesota team sitting atop the Central Division. The Wild are led by superstar Kirill Kaprizov, whose 14 goals lead the NHL, and defenseman Quinn Hughes, one of the league’s best blueliners. Minnesota is looking to rebound from a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Behind the scenes, Washington has been busy as well. The team traded for depth goaltender Rémi Poirier and placed defenseman Dylan McIlrath on NHL waivers — a move that would leave the team with three goaltenders and no reserve defensemen at the moment. Could a bigger trade be coming?
Puck drop is at 3:30 pm on Monumental Sports Network. Follow along below for live updates, highlights, and analysis throughout the game.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Minnesota Wild
Goaltending matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Tom Wilson and Alex Tuch have mustaches for Movember.
Starters for the Caps.
Puck is dropped.
Big chance here off the opening draw — but Matt Boldy thankfully misses the net.
What a goal by Quinn Hughes. He dances to the middle of the ice and his shot hits Logan Thompson and leaks in.
1-0 Minnesota Wild
Goal: Quinn Hughes (5). Assists: J. Brodin (5), N. Sturm (2). Time: 3:42
The Ovechkin line with some chaos in the defensive zone as Ilya Protas misses Anthony Beauvillier with a pass, leading to a Michael McCarron snap shot goal.
2-0 Minnesota Wild
Goal: Michael McCarron (2). Assists: B. Coleman (2), B. Brink (6). Time: 5:27
Huge hit by Tom Wilson in the final minute. Kaprizov nearly scores on a rush down the ice on a backhand but Logan Thompson appears to make the save.
At intermission: The Wild lead 2-0 and are outshooting a sleepy Capitals team 10-5.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Set play off the opening faceoff, springing Tom Wilson on a breakaway but he can’t tuck it under Wallstedt’s pad.
Jack St. Ivany nearly scores on a move to the net. He has been so good with the Caps.
Tuch-Strome-Kyrou line really wants a goal but just can’t it to fall.
Big hit by Tom Wilson on Joel Eriksson Ek at the benches, creates a two-on-one for the Capitals. Aliaksei Protas rips his shot off the post.
Wallstedt robs Ovechkin from point-blank range.
Justin Sourdif scores with 4.9 seconds according to the Monumental Sports Network clock. Great deflection of a Cole Hutson shot in front of the net.
2-1 Minnesota Wild
Goal: Justin Sourdif (2). Assists: C. Hutson (4), A. Beauvillier (2). Time: 19:54
At intermission: The Wild lead 2-1. They’re holdinnnn on. Shots are 18-16 Wild.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Bobby Brink with a great opportunity from the left circle, going outside-inside on Jordan Kyrou.
Penalty kill
Jack St. Ivany high-sticking penalty on Danila Yurov at 2:18
Alex Tuch with a big chance shorthanded.
LT robs Yurov wide-open from near the slot. Big save there.
Cole Hutson’s pass goes right to Ovechkin inches from the goal line, but the puck ricochets off his skate and goes back out through the crease to the other side.
Ovi’s having chance after chance in the third period.
Jakob Chychrun has an empty net basically and he shoots it into Wallstedt.
Cole Hutson draws a penalty along the boards.
Power play
Bobby Brink interference penalty on Cole Hutson at 10:43
Kyrou high-stick. That’ll make the game 4-on-4 for 1:03 and then a 57 second 5-on-4 powerplay for the Wild.
Power play
Jordan Kyrou high-sticking penalty on Matt Kiersted at 11:40
Bad Wild turnover, Tuch steals the puck in the left circle but is stopped by Wallstedt. He’s been incredible.
Bogosian threw his head back when Wilson’s stick came near his head, might have tapped him slightly on the helmet. Terrible call.
Penalty kill
Tom Wilson high-sticking penalty on Zach Bogosian at 16:10
Dagger. Shabanov finds the back of the net with a great shot.
3-1 Minnesota Wild
PPG: Maxim Shabanov (5). Assists: J. Eriksson Ek (8). Time: 17:37
Logan Thompson pulled with under two minutes remaining.
Alex Tuch stopped on a breakaway.
4-1 Minnesota Wild
ENG: Kirill Kaprizov (15). Assists: M. Boldy (8), J. Eriksson Ek (9). Time: 19:02
After the goal, Tom Wilson goes after Bogosian for diving on that previous penalty.
Penalty kill
Tom Wilson cross-checking penalty at Joel Eriksson Ek at 19:02; Tom Wilson 10-minute misconduct on Zach Bogosian
Penalty kill
Timothy Liljegren delay of game penalty - puck over the glass at 19:19
5-1 Minnesota Wild
PPG: Danila Yurov (5). Assists: D. Spacek (1), B. Brink (7). Time: 19:35
Capitals lose 5-1. Wallstedt stole this one.
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