Capitals forward Jakub Vrana scored two goals — his first career multi-goal game — against Ottawa on Wednesday night.
A week after being benched by Barry Trotz for being in “participation mode,” Vrana has done all the little things right lately, including a smart, heads up play in the first period against the Senators. You likely didn’t even notice it.
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
It’s not everyday that an entire forward line sits in the penalty box together, but exactly that happened during the Capitals’ 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators Wednesday night.
Barry Trotz’s new first line consisting of Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and Tom Wilson all took minors in a 44-second span in the second period and had a penalty party in the Wilson Box.
The Caps needed a win to restore faith and to get back on track after yet another lopsided loss on Monday night. They got just that, but now the challenge is to do it again and again and again.
Jakub Vrana, one time nacho eater, got the Caps on the board first. Alex Ovechkin, reunited with his bff Nicklas Backstrom, put the Caps up two.
Evgeny Kuznetsov sniped on the power play and Vrana got a puck stuck under the bar, but totally in the net. Ryan Dzingel scored for Ottawa. The Caps were up 4-1 after 40 minutes.
Mike Hoffman buried a Mark Stone rebound. Alex Chiasson buried an empty netter.
Caps beat Senators 5-2!
By Chris Cerullo 5 years ago
Despite strong underlying numbers, Jakub Vrana was benched by Barry Trotz last week for being in “participation mode.”
Since then, The V has gotten involved, tallying three points in his last two games. That includes tonight’s two-goal outburst against the Ottawa Senators.
Vrana’s first goal came on some hard work in front of the net, while the other was some magical sharpshooting. Both had superb celebrations though.
Well that was quick.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom were reunited in a surprise move by Barry Trotz before the game. So of course in the first period, Backstrom assisted (secondary) on an Ovechkin goal.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom haven’t played together all year, but that’s apparently going to change tonight.
After spending the last two days explaining why he wasn’t putting the longtime linemates back together, Trotz, inexplicably, reunited Ovechkin and Backstrom before the game. Tom Wilson will complete the trio.
That whole “put a streak together” thing that I spoke about the Caps doing in the last pregame did not go to plan. The Caps have, multiple times now, put together a complete effort and then immediately fallen on their faces for a couple games after. It’s the Ottawa Senators in town this time to see if the Caps have what it takes to bounce back once more and hopefully string together a few consistently good performances.
The battle between two of North America’s capital cities starts at 7PM on NBCSWA. I have your recap.
By Chris Cerullo 5 years ago
