The Capitals lost to one of the worst teams in hockey Saturday night, but I, for one, am just thankful no one got seriously hurt.
Three important Caps players — Tom Wilson, Justin Williams, and Evgeny Kuznetsov — all suffered injuries, only to somehow grit through the pain and finish the game.
By Cara Bahniuk 6 years ago
The Washington Capitals were all over the place in Arizona on Friday night. They were sloppy in the first, but got it together briefly in the second, before just sorta giving up late. It was a blowout to one of the league’s worst teams while the Caps are fighting for the division title. And to add injury to insult, there were (possible) injuries too.
The Caps got lit up in the first, surrendering goals to Dvorak, Jooris, and Burmistrov in the first 14 minutes. Barry Trotz gave Braden Holtby a breather after that, but the goalie returned for the second period, which started well enough.
Nick Backstrom scored a convincing power-play goal, followed by Dan Winnik setting his new career-high in goals, but that surge ended abruptly. Dvorak and Burmistrov scored a pair of power-play goals to put the Caps back in their hole for the second intermission.
Peter Holland seemed to break the Caps’ back with a marker, but Justin Williams responded with one of his own twenty seconds later.
Coyotes beat Caps 6-3. Mmk.
By Peter Hassett 6 years ago
The Caps’ comeback effort continues off the stick of Daniel Winnik, who has just hit a career high in goals.
By Cara Bahniuk 6 years ago
After a brutal first period in which they gave up three goals to a team that — to put it mildly — is so bad you want to call in sick to work and listen to Nick Drake albums in the bath, the Caps temporarily surged in the second period.
First, Tom Wilson paid the price to draw a big penalty, then Nicklas Backstrom made it count.
The Caps are getting thoroughly whomped in Arizona tonight. Rather than discuss the three goals they gave up and how the Coyotes chased Braden Holtby (who returned for the second period), let’s appreciate some good good dogs.
By Peter Hassett 6 years ago
#RMNBAfterDark returns to your twitter timelines and your sleep cycle tonight as the Caps take their road trip to Arizona.
The main storyline coming out of tonight will be the return of Shane Doan to the Coyotes lineup. Doan has been out for seven games after suffering a groin injury. Also back in the Coyotes lineup is left winger Jamie McGinn after he needed to leave town for a death in the family. The Caps current storyline? They tryna get that Presidents Trophy.
Puck drop is at 10 PM on CSN. Start your coffee machines, take your naps, do whatever you need to stay up with us.
| Team | Record | SA% | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | 51-17-8 | 52.3% | 103.0 | 23.3% (3rd) | 84.7% (6th) |
| Arizona Coyotes | 20-52-3 | 44.4% | 98.7 | 14.6% (27th) | 78.0% (24th) |
By Elyse Bailey 6 years ago
