(photo: NHL)

After relinquishing a 3-1 lead, the Capitals successfully endured another 3-on-3 overtime on Wednesday night, only to ultimately fall to the ‘Canes in the ensuing shootout.

Alex Ovechkin wasted no time in dazzling in this one. Ovechkin opened up the scoring 20 seconds into the game with one of his patented toe-drag crossover moves, leaving two ‘Canes defenders in the dust. Michael Latta and Stanislav Galiev also added tallies.

The Capitals reverted to familiar tactics last night, employing the “score and then be scored upon quickly” strategy. The Capitals gave up quick retaliatory goals on two occasions, immediately following goals of their own.

The game was the fourth pre-season road game in a row for the Capitals, and marked the team’s final road game of the pre-season. The team will wrap up the preseason with home games on Friday and Sunday against the Bruins and Islanders, respectfully.

(Photo: @jennarolandphotography)

Coach Trotz had essentially put Stanislav Galiev on notice earlier Wednesday. When asked about Galiev’s progress, Trotz stated “There’s no question, he hasn’t stood out right now at all to me,” Trotz said. “He’s got to play better. . . . We’re pretty well out of time. We’ll make a decision on him very shortly.”

Wednesday night was yet another less than spectacular outing for Braden Holtby, yielding 3 goals in 15 shots, in two periods of play. To Holtby’s defense, one goal was the result of a 5-3 penalty. He now has 44 saves against 50 shots this preseason, for a 0.880 Save Percentage. Trotz said Holtby will play all of the final two preseason games.

Coach Trotz reverted back to an earlier 3-on-3 his overtime strategy by starting off with two forwards and one defenseman – Kuznetsov, Ovechkin and Niskanan. The Hurricanes countered with the same configuration, going with Skinner, Versteeg, Faulk. The 3-on-3 overtime period went scoreless once again, sending the game into a shootout. T.J. Oshie did provide an Oshie special for the fans.