The Caps made slight work of the Blackhawks with a nice 6-1 score Thursday night as they should give how bad Chicago is this season, but with how up and down Washington has been this season you just never know what team is going to show up night in and night out.
The Caps got on the board first with probably the easiest goal of the season with a goalie in the net. The Hawks goalie to the left of his crease miss played the puck and handed it right to Conor Sheary for the quick tally. This was a much needed goal for him being that he had zero points in February which is extremely uncharacteristic of him but makes sense with how bad the Caps have played in that month.
Then we got a nice quick snapshot goal by Mantha off the faceoff win from Kuzy to make it 2-0 Caps at the end of the first period. Ovechkin recorded the primary assist on the goal which was his 30th apple on the season and now has 40 goals and at least 30 assists in season for the 9th time in his career. (is that good?)
Then in the second Nic Dowd notched his 13th goal of the season with a beautiful skate left shoot right snipe on the top right corner to beat the Chicago tendy.
Then Backstrom wanted to get in on the scoring action with a rebound shot from Strome in-front then was able to smash it home for his 13th on the season. This was Strome’s 37th assist of the season which now ties his single season career high which he achieved in the 18-19 season, and was able to break that later on his assist on Carlson’s goal.
In his first game back since before Christmas where he was hit in the face with a puck which had him sidelined for awhile was able to get a perfect Carlson style goal with a shot from the point area. He has been greatly missed not just on the ice but with his leadership as a whole was much needed back with this team.
Chicago was able to break the shutout with a goal from Nikita Zaitsev to beat Kuemper who was screened on the play.
Kuemper played great tonight being that it was his first game in a week stopping 28 of 29 shots.
Just when you think Ovi is slowing down these last couple games he has one of these oh he’s still got it type goals. Where he almost takes it coast to coast and shoves it past the goalie. That is 821 on his career for those keeping track and his 41st goal of the season. He has nine games left to try and reach 50 for the 10th time in his career, which is very attainable for a guy like Ovechkin.
Even though with the 6-1 final if you didn’t watch the game it was a surprisingly physical game so give Chicago credit they are a lottery team but they are still playing so have to respect that kind of wish our guys played with this type of physicality all season.
Ovi with his two points now extends his points streak to 6 games with 5 goals and assists which tied for his longest streak of the season.
Strome has already earned that contract we gave him he has a team leading 15 points in March. Love the play we are seeing from him definitely a breathe of fresh air going into next season.
The Caps are back in action Saturday against Pittsburgh so lets get the win against Crosby and Co. and help ruin their playoff chances.
The Morning Skate 