We’ve got a milestone alert, people.
2014 first-round pick Jakub Vrana just scored his first NHL goal and he can thank Evgeny Kuznetsov for how easy it was.
Late in the third period, the defensive pairing of Carlzner – John Carlson and Karl Alzner – went out for a shift together to keep the rallying Boston Bruins off the board. The Bruins had scored three unanswered goals to tie the game and were pushing for a fourth.
Then a disaster scenario played out. A Bruins player wound up and fired a shot from the point. The biscuit struck Karl Alzner in the slot and the Calgary native went down in a heap. NBCSN play-by-play man Mike Emrick thought Alzner was injured.
Tom Wilson had one of those weird Tom Wilson nights where it’s hard to really know what type of player he is or will grow to be.
Midway through the second period, the big Canadian forward parlayed some good board work into a Daniel Winnik goal, giving the Caps a 3-0 lead.
But then! Two unanswered Bruins goals later, Wilson lost the lead for the Capitals after pasting Anton Blidh into the stanchion with an unnecessary, late hit.
After giving up 17 unanswered shots and three unanswered goals to the Bruins, the Capitals looked poised for an epic collapse. Instead the Caps Swedes happened.
Nicklas Backstrom scored 1:36 into three-on-three overtime to give the Caps a much needed 4-3 victory.
Well, it wouldn’t have been a “Rivalry Night” on NBC if the Caps didn’t keep this a close game, would it now?
Tonight, the Caps faced the Boston Bruins at home and the night began with a rockin’ start. Justin Williams finally broke whatever curse he was battling and scored on two beautiful shots in the first period. The first goal was only 23 seconds into the first, making it the fastest goal to start a game since March 2013 (19 seconds by Ovechkin). We ended the first 20 minutes at 2-0.
The puck drops for the second period and Daniel Winnik comes in clutch with a goal 5:51 in. Here’s the worst part, that was the last shot on goal for the Capitals until late in the third period, over 25 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly. While the second period continues, the Bruins get on the board twice in the last five minutes for a score of 3-2 going into the third period.
Third period begins and the Bruins are dominating the ice. Beagle, Wilson, and Dominic Moore are sent to the box 6:21 into the third, giving the Bruins a power play. Guess what happens? You betcha, the Bruins tie it up 3-3. Nether team scores in the remaining time, so overtime it is.
Extra hockey time starts and beautiful Nick Backstrom scores to finish the game at 4-3.
Last week, Barry Trotz called Jay Beagle “Mr. Fix It,” insinuating that the Canadian was the team’s solution when things are dire.
That confuses me, but so does this incredible pass Beagle made to give Daniel Winnik his fourth goal of the season.
During pregame warmups, life seemed grand again. TJ Oshie was whacked in the buttocks by Tom Wilson, marking his first game since leaving a November 18 with a dislocated shoulder. The Capitals were finally full strength.
It only lasted one period.
Coming into tonight’s nationally broadcast game against the Boston Bruins, the Caps had lost three of four games and exhibited some of their worst hockey of the Barry Trotz era.
But it appears after some naughty words and harsh conversations, Trotz has lit a fire under his team.
The Capitals first line, consisting of Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Justin Williams, put on a forechecking clinic in the first period. The ice cold Williams scored twice – the benefactor of hard work and hustle by his Russian linemates.
After missing seven games due to a dislocated left shoulder, TJ Oshie is back just in time for tonight’s nationally broadcast game against the Boston Bruins. Not only does that mean the Caps have more skill in the lineup, it also means more butt slashes.
Eight of them to be exact.
It’s Wednesday and the Boston Bruins are coming to town. You may remember the Bruins from such classics as game seven of the 2012 Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Bruins are led into town by goal-scoring wizard David Pastrnak, who has 15 goals through 21 games this season.
For the Caps, despite a win on Monday against Buffalo, they are still looking to work out a lot of kinks in their game. There’s no time like the present for the Caps to get their game unkinked. Maybe tonight is the night that Evgeny Kuznetsov starts dazzling again, Alex Ovechkin stops taking 73 penalties per game, or someone from the blue line decides to score a goal.
Good news: TJ Oshie is back!
Heads up: 8:00 pm game tonight and NBCSN has your coverage.
| Team | Record | SA% | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| Boston Bruins | 15-10-1 | 54.5% | 99.1 | 13.8% | 86.4% |
| Washington Capitals | 14-7-3 | 53.5% | 101.7 | 15.2% | 83.1% |
