The Washington Capitals took both games of the home and home against the New York Rangers, finishing off the back half in an extra frame 3-2. The Caps needed some help from the Colorado Avalanche against the Philadelphia Flyers to officially clinch a playoff spot, but that help did not come.
The Rangers out-shot the Caps 37 to 33, but were out-attempted by the Caps at five-on-five 46 to 40.
By Chris Cerullo 5 years ago
Whenever a rookie first steps onto the NHL stage, the result is always a wildcard. Wednesday, during Shane Gersich’s NHL debut, the talented forward was arguably the Capitals best player.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Gersich, in eight minutes and fifty-two seconds of five-on-five ice time, had a 68.2 shot-attempts percentage (15 shots for, 7 against), finishing second only to John Carlson (73.1 percent). The University of North Dakota alum also led the team in scoring chance percentage (80 percent), seeing eight chances and two against while he was out on the ice.
The undersized forward was fast and skilled as advertised, but he was a real difference maker while forechecking and backchecking. Gersich’s tenacity forced turnovers and wore down opposing players in the defensive zone. He finished the evening with three shots on goal, second only to Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson (5).
With 10:35 remaining in the third period, Rangers forward Ryan Spooner blazed down the right wing and beat Braden Holtby, giving New York a late 2-1 lead. The Capitals had been buried in shot attempts for the first two periods of the game, but that goal appeared to light a fire under the Caps.
Washington came at Henrik Lundqvist in waves until Lars Eller, the extra attacker, tied the game with 1:05 left in the third period. Eller won a battle for space in front of the net, roofing the puck past the King. Later in overtime, Evgeny Kuznetsov skated around all three Rangers skaters on the ice and slung a shot past Lundqvist for the game winner.
The goal gave the Capitals their ninth win in their last ten games.
By Ian Oland 5 years ago
Shane Gersich is making his NHL debut on Wednesday night after signing a two-year deal on Friday.
To celebrate his big milestone, the Capitals gave Gersich the “rookie treatment” during warmups. The UND alum took a few solo laps on the ice before the rest of the team joined him.
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
A year and two days ago, a very very good doggo went out on the ice at Verizon Center and played fetch with a police officer. The tail-wagging hockey pup went viral on social media because everyone needed this media in their life.
Well I have some great news. It appears that happy golden retriever is back and is just as rambunctious as before.
The Washington Capitals can officially clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference tonight. Woo-hoo! If the red-clad boys earn a point and the Philadelphia Flyers lose in regulation, or if they win outright and the Flyers lose in any manner, the Caps will be returning to the big dance.
We’ll see how it plays out at 8 PM on NBCSN. Pat will have your recap.
By Chris Cerullo 5 years ago
