First, I’d like to be the last to wish you all a happy and healthy 2024 and accomplish whatever goals you’ve set for yourselves this year.
Well our Caps got 2024 started on the right skate by defeating our bitter rival and Crosby 4-3 in regulation.
The Caps started Tuesday just a couple points out of the wild card spot and were tied with 40 points with the Penguins.
The boys in white got on the board first from non other than Tom Wilson who ripped a howitzer past the Pen’s goalie for an early 1-0 lead on the road.
This was Wilson’s 11th goal of the season, also Ethan Bear recorded his first point as a Capital on Wilson’s goal.
The boys then went up 2-0 after a lucky bounce that was throw into the front of the net by Beck Malenstyn which deflected off a Penguin’s players stick.
Then Martin Fehervary added to the Caps lead with a nice wrist shot near the top of the left circle to make it 3-0.
Late in the 1st the Capitals went on the powerplay which has been less than stellar this season. Alex Ovechkin was able to beat the Pen’s goalie due to a great screen in front by Protas.
This was Ovi’s 830th goal of the season and 302nd on the power-play. With this goal Ovechkin now has 830g, 677a, 1,507p in 1,382GP which passes Ray Bourque for 7th most points by a player with one NHL franchise.
The Caps go into the first intermission 4-0 no need to panic……….(eye roll).
The Pens were able to shorten the lead to one by the end of the 2nd period. The way this season has gone so far it felt like it was inevitable that the Pens would tie it late then it would be a crap shoot in OT or the shootout. But this time it was not the case Kuemper was able to lock it in and shut out the Penguins in the 3rd to give the Caps the 4-3 win.
John Carlson also passed Peter Bondra last night for 4th most games played in franchise history at 962 games, next on the list is Calle Johansson at 983.
The one thing I don’t get is that Dylan Strome has been easily our best player, but we have him on a line with two rookies. He has been amazing on the line with Ovi and a rotating winger but usually Kuznetsov.
Our penalty kill was pretty nails tonight which was nice to see, even got to see Wilson smoke Crosby in the face.
One last thing I know we hate the Pens but we got to start cherishing these Ovi vs Crosby matchups because the games they play against each other are slowly getting lower and lower.
The Capitals are on another back to back tonight against the New Jersey Devils back in D.C.
The Morning Skate 