The Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 on Wednesday night at Bell Centre in Montreal. The victory evened the Capitals preseason record to 1-1. The Capitals return to preseason action Friday night when they host the St. Louis Blues at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7PM.
Philipp Grubauer got the start in goal for the (0-1) Capitals. Carey Price got the start for the (0-1) Canadiens. Both goalies were replaced midway through the second period. The lines and defensive pairs for the second preseason game:
#Habs Défenseurs des Caps
Orpik-Hobbs
Jokipakka-Bowey
Siegenthaler-Williams— Guillaume Lefrançois (@glefrancoisLP) September 20, 2017
FIRST PERIOD
Evgeny Kuznetsov would notch the game’s first tally on the end of a nice offensive zone rush, beating Carey Price low at 5:16 of the opening frame. The goal was on the Capitals first power play of the game.
Kuzy: 🙌
Bowey: 🍎
Grubi: 🍎#CapsHabs on @CSNMA#ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/dwfeQLzG7C— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 20, 2017
John Walton with the call:
The Capitals would add another power play goal at 9:52 of the first period. Jakub Vrana and Evgeny Kuznetsov would rush the zone, with Vrana centering a pass on goal from the right wing that was deflected into the net. Vrana was credited with the goal.
Vrana or Kuzy? You tell us. #CapsCamppic.twitter.com/Z9WGr7odWR
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 20, 2017
John Walton’s radio call:
The period would end with the Capitals leading 2-0. The Canadiens outshot the Capitals 16-5 for the opening frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Canadiens would get on the score board with a power play goal by Charles Hudon at 1:16 of the middle frame, closing the deficit to 2-1.
The teams would replace goalies with 10:38 left in the second period. Pheonix Copley would replace Philipp Grubauer and Charlie Lindgren would replace Carey Price for the Habs.
The Habs would tie the game on a power play goal by Max Pacioretty at the 11:37 mark of the second period.
The period would end with the game tied 2-2. The period concluded with the Habs having a two-man advantage, which would carry over into the final frame. The Habs outshot the Caps 16-9 for the second period and 32-15 through two periods of play.
THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals would take the lead on a goal by Devante Smith-Pelly at 14:06 of the final frame.
DSP puts the #Caps ahead! #CapsHabs on @CSNMA#ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/vbZkVR4lJj
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 21, 2017
John Walton with the call:
Tom Wilson would bury an empty-net goal at 18:52 to secure the victory for Washington. John’s Walton’s final call from Bell Centre:
The NHL box score can be found here.
PROSPECT STANDOUTS
- Philipp Grubauer – Grubauer probably shouldn’t be listed under “prospect standouts”, but he would shine in the first period and a half.
- Pheonix Copley – a solid game for Copley, with a number of fine saves. He would save 21 of 22 shots he faced.
- Jakub Vrana – Vrana looks to be already in sink with Kuznetsov in the early going. There seems to be little doubt he will make the opening night roster.
SCENES FROM MONTREAL
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZSL3dbj95M/
I didnt see the game. Can someone comment on the young D?
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I thought they looked okay. The shot totals were bad, but they started the game out really well. Bowey looked good as did Vrana.
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This was a solid win. Vrana and DSP stepped it up