Thursday night had a roller-coaster of emotions with the Caps digging themselves into a huge hole that seemed like it was over before it started, but then they came back to tie the game, then they took the lead late in the 3rd for a second then the goal came off the board, finally it came to a shootout where they lost. Overall just not great especially being that we are now on a 3 game losing streak.
The Caps were down 3-0 early in the game from goals by the Blue’s Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich, and Torey Krug.
The Caps did not get on the board till the second period when Ovechkin had nice little hesi-heyyy in front of the crease to beat the Blues goalie to make it 3-1 Blues. This was Ovi’s 9th goal of the season and is now only 11 goals away from 800 career goals and 13 goals away from passing Gordie Howe for 2nd on the NHL’s all-time goals list.
John Carlson who in my opinion has been ice cold this season was able to tally two goals in the second. His first came shorthanded on a nice 2 on 1 snipe job to make it 4-2 Blues. This was Carlson’s second career shorty and his 4th goal on the season.
Carly’s second goal came on the power-play where he utilized a little snapshot one timer to score to make it 4-3 Blues. The Capital’s power-play is now 1-24 over the past 5 games which is less than ideal.
Then came the passing clinic which started with a whiffed pass by Ovi where he recovered dished it to Kuzy who fed Sheary for a short side one timer to tie the game (exhale).
Then with around 2ish minutes remaining the Caps looked to have taken the lead on a batted puck, but it was reviewed and the good goal call was reversed due to a high stick which was the right call the stick was just above the crossbar. I couldn’t find a video showing it but it was clear watching the replay on the broadcast that it was a clear high stick.
Then we got to 3v3 OT which was one of the more exciting OTs I’ve seen in a minute. Kuzy almost had a nasty dangle then goal to win it but the Blues defender just got his stick on Kuzys to slow down the puck.
Then we went to the shootout and here is where I had some issues.
Kuznetsov obviously went first and really slooooooooow which has been beautiful to watch how fast his hands are and beat the Blue’s goalie again to make it 1-0 Caps. At this point the goalies know its coming and still can’t stop it.
Charlie Lindgren had a tough start to the game but then settled down and he played great in the shootout and gave the Caps a chance to win it.
For some reason Laviolette had Ovi and Carlson go 2,3 in our shootout order which listen I’m the biggest Ovi fan on earth but he is more of a 5,6 shootout guy, and Carlson yeah he had two great goals tonight but he should not be in the shootout let alone going THIRD! Also if he is gonna go rip a slapshot don’t try to dangle. How the heck doesn’t Sonny Milano get in the mix or heck anyone else with hands.
In the end Lindgren got beat by a nasty goal by O’Reilly and the game winner by Buchnevich.
Blues beat the Caps 5-4 at least we got a point trying to stay optimistic.
The Caps also outshot the Blues 40 to freaking 12!!! That is some beer league shit and we still lost with that number.
It doesn’t get much easier as the Caps take on the Colorado Avalanche in DC on Saturday.
Take a deep breath Caps fans I know its tough right now. Lets wait till we get Wilson back and some of the other banged up guys before we can say we are not a playoff team. (serenity now)
The Morning Skate 