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The Washington Capitals fell to the St. Louis Blues 4-0 on Friday night at Capital One Arena. The loss dropped the Capitals’ preseason record to 1-2. The Capitals return to preseason action Saturday night when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7PM. 

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals and played the first two periods. Pheonix Copley relieved Holtby for the third period. Ville Husso started in goal for the Blues and played the entire game.

FIRST PERIOD
A rapid and uncharacteristically fast-moving pace to the opening frame, with no penalties called in the first 12 minutes of play and seven-plus minutes without a whistle. The Blues would open the scoring with a close range tally by Robert Thomas with 2:20 left in the opening frame.

The Blues would add another score with 1:41 left on the end of a poor defensive zone exit pass by John Carlson. The Blues would collect the weak exit attempt and finish on a wrister by Conner Bleackley.

The period would end with the Blues leading 2-0. The Blues led in shots on goal 13-7.

SECOND PERIOD
The middle frame also started with a quick pace and scoring chances at both ends of the ice. The period would ultimately be a scoreless session, with the Blues outshooting the Capitals 9-6 for the second period and 22-13 thru two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
Pheonix Copley replaced Nraden Holtby to start the third period. Another fast start to the period void of scoring. The Blues would stretch their lead with a power play goal on the end of a 3-on-2 breakaway, which was finished by Robert Thomas, his second marker of the he game.

The Blues would add a fourth goal on the end of a 2-on-1 breakaway goal by Klim Kostin, making it 4-0 at the 16:28 mark of the final frame. That would be the final.

PLAYER REVIEWS

Good

• Tyler Graovac – excellent attack throughout the game. Showed good hands and speed, and ability to attack a defense. Had several quality scoring chances.
• Aaron Ness – once again demonstrated NHL-level ability to move and defend the puck. Also showed his speed and excellent skating abilities. Good on the penalty kill.
• Tom Wilson – Wilson already looks to be ready for the season to start. Excellent coverage of the ice, broke up a power play pass that led to a scoring chance.

Bad

• John Carlson – Not a good night for Carlson. Sloppy zone exits and errant passing, one of which led to a goal by the Blues.

Quiet

• Players that needed to make a good showing, but were relatively quiet in the game: Christian Djoos, Travis Boyd, Lucus Johansen, Tyler Lewington.

The complete NHL box score can be found here.

SCENES FROM CAPITALS ONE ARENA

@NoVa_Caps Kuzy at #NHL100pic.twitter.com/BtNPTlMlrE

— Harrison Brown (@HarrisonB927077) September 22, 2017

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