The Washington Capitals wrapped up their first road trip of the season Friday night with a 7-4 win over the Oilers at Rexall Place in Edmonton. This was most likely the Capitals final game at Rexall Place, as the Oilers will be moving into a new barn next season. Phillipp Grubauer started in goal for the Capitals, his first start of the season.

(Photo: @sportmajor)

The Washington Capitals lines for this game:

Offensive lines:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Backstrom-Williams
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson
Laich-Stephenson-Burakovsky

Defensive Pairs:
Orpik-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Orlov-Chorney

Taylor Chorney replaced Nate Schmidt on the third defensive line.  Stanislav Galiev, Michael Latta and Nate Schmidt were the healthy scratches.

Take Aways
This game was WIDE OPEN. Evgeny Kuznetsov had another excellent game, with a hat trick and two assists (5 points). The Capitals second line shined tonight as well, with goals by all three line members: Johansson, Backstrom and Williams.

First Period
The Capitals jumped out quickly with an early tally by Evgeny Kuznetsov on a nice give-and-go from Alex Ovechkin to T.J. Oshie to Kuznetsov for the finisher at the 3:05 mark.

Brooks Orpik got a two-minute minor for slashing for the games first penalty at the 6:11 mark.  The Capitals were able to successfully kill the penalty, and hold the 1-0 lead.  However, the Oilers were able to tie it up on a goal by Benoit Pouliat at 10:59.  The Capitals went on their first power play with about 9:00 minutes left in the period.  Nicklas Backstrom scored on the power play, regaining the lead 2-1 at 12:07.

The Oilers would strike back on a goal by Rob Klinkhammer to tie the game at 2-2 at the 15:00 mark.  However, the Capitals would regain the lead on a tap-in goal by Marcus Johansson with 20 seconds left in the period.  The period would end with the Caps leading 3-2.

Second Period
Just 12 seconds into the second period, Evgeny Kuznetsov was called for hooking, sending the Capitals back on the penalty kill.  36 seconds later the Oilers Connor McDavid would bank one in off of Matt Niskenen’s skate to tie the game 3-3.   However, Evgeny Kuznetsov would get the lead back for the Capitals on break way at 6:17 of the second period.

The Capitals would go on the power play on a hooking call on Connor McDavid for tripping Dmitri Orlov at the 7:23 mark.  Andre Burakovsky would score on a nice pass from Evgeny Kuztnesov, giving the Capitals a 5-3 lead at the  9:26 mark.  Justin Williams added a tally on a tip-in at 11:49, stretching the Capitals lead to 6-3.

The Oilers would change goalies after Justin Williams goal.  The Oilers would inch their way back on a goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at the 14:42 mark, closing the gap to 6-4. Evgeny Kuznetsov would be called for interference with 3:44 left in 2nd period.  The Capitals would be able to successfully kill the penalty. The period would end with the Caps leading 6-4.

Third Period
The third period started off a bit sloppy.  The Oilers went on the power play on a hooking call on Tom Wilson at 8:21.  The Capitals were able to kill the penalty.  Evgeny Kuznetsov would cap off his incredible night with his third goal for the hattrick with 2:51 left in the game.  That would be the final, as the Caps completed the western swing sweep with a 7-4 win.