The Washington Capitals beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Overtime on Wednesday night. Evgeny Kuznetsov would supply the game winner on a nifty deke and top-shelf wrister. Braden Holtby was excellent in goal, keeping the Caps in the game throughout with numerous big saves.
Brooks Orpik was once again scratched from the lineup due to a lower body injury. Coach Trotz stated earlier at morning skate that Orpik is close to returning, and could go against the Dallas Stars on tomorrow (Thursday) night.
Offensive Lines:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Burakovsky
Chimera-Beagle-Williams
Laich-Latta-Wilson
Defensive Pairs:
Schmidt-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Orlov-Chorney
Quick Takes
Once again, for the eighth straight game the Capitals allowed the games first goal. The Capitals power play went 1-4 in the first period. Braden Holtby kept the Capitals in the game with stellar play, particularly in the second period. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the power play continues to struggle…..and struggle. The Capitals struggled to get shots on goal in this one as well, even with the aid of six power play opportunities.
Considering the Caps were off the past four days, the team seemed to start the game with encouraging intensity. Unfortunately the Caps were caught off-guard early, and beat on a transition play starting deep in the Red Wings zone. The Red Wings Dylan Larkin scored on a wrister at 2:48 of the first period, thus stretching the Caps streak of giving up the games first goal to eight straight games.
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The Capitals tied the game on their second power play of the opening frame. Matt Niskanen let loose from the point, with Justin Williams picking up the loose change for the goal.
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The first period would end in a 1-1 tie. The Capitals and Red Wings combined for 17 shots on goal in the first period – but only only six at even strength – Caps held a 10-7 lead in SOG. Wings led 4-2 in even-strength SOG. Alex Ovechkin had five shots in the first period.
The Capitals would go to the penalty kill 1:33 into the second period, but the PK unit would shine once again, and even generated a couple of short handed chances. 5-on-5 play, as rare as it was in the early part of this game, seemed fairly even with plenty of single chances and back up the ice to the other end. Late in the period, the Red Wings began to tilt the ice in their favor, but Braden Holtby made several great saves to keep the game tied at 1-1 at the second intermission.
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The Red Wings out-shot the Capitals 13-8 in the second period.
The Capitals stepped up the offensive pressure to start the third period, but were limited in chances and shots on goal. The power play failed on two more opportunities. Regulation ended at 1-1.
Trotz started Evgeny Kuznetsov, Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen in the overtime period. Evgeny Kuznetsov would end it on a very nice deke and top-shelf wrister for a 2-1 win for the Caps.
