Yes it sucks we lost, but lets get to the important news it looks like Ovechkin has a fracture in his left fibula and is projected to miss anywhere between 4-6 weeks. Not the news we wanted to hear but it is still better than any tear or a fracture causing a dislocation or nerve damage. So deep breathe everyone it allows some young guys to step up and prove themselves in case someone else goes down.
After some back and forth in the 1st the boys were able to get on the board first via Pierre-Luc Dubois after McMichael drew the defender away from the puck it left a wide open Wilson who fed a beautiful pass to a crashing PLD who gave the Caps a 1-0 lead.
This was PLD’s second as a Cap and now has recorded 6 points in his last 6.
After a penalty the Avs went on the power-play and a weird bouncing puck off multiple sticks which then ricocheted of a Cap’s skate which snuck past Thompson which Mikko Rantanen was give credit, 1-1 ball game.
Then we head to the 3rd and finally period where couple minutes in Colorado would finish what would be the game winner. With Thompson double screened out front Miles Wood was able to redirect the puck to the back of the net, 2-1 Avs.
Compared to the 1st period the rest of the game was giving going through the motion vibes with spurts of effort which isn’t going to win you games in this league.
LT played pretty solid last night saving 25 out of 27 shot attempts with 13 coming in the 2nd period. He kept us in the game with saves like the one below. We just needed offensive pressure which just wasn’t there. Aside from the two McMichael breakaways in the 2nd there wasn’t many high scoring chances in this one for the boys in red.
With the power-play King (Ovi) out our power-play will obviously be different. The biggest change comes with moving Carlson to the Ovi Office position giving that 1-3-1 look with Carlson, McMichael Strome, Wilson, and Chychrun.
With Chychrun being left handed it makes the pass to Carlson not as easy.
Overall with Ovi out someone will need to take more shots to keep our shooting percentage high as it was with Ovechkin in the lineup. You can’t score if you don’t shoot and that’s what it felt like tonight.
Also, with Lapierre I don’t with how this team is this year we should just be throwing him out there and hope he gets better which is not working. Personally lets send Lappy down and get confidence and keep Miro up and let him get some quality NHL ice time which when presented he has had some success in that time. Poor Lappy was looking like a lost puppy trying to defend Makar which happens to most in this league against him to be honest.
The boys are back in action again tomorrow(Saturday) in D.C. against a pesky Devils team.
The Morning Skate 