Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The Washington Capitals fell to the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Monday night at Capital One Arena. After the Caps notched the game’s first tally just 62 seconds into the contest, Calgary scored four unanswered goals to salt this one away. The loss dropped the Capitals record to 11-10-1. The Capitals return to action Wednesday night when they host the Ottawa Senators at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7:00 PM.
Braden Holtby got the start for the Capitals. Mike Smith (.919 sv%, 2.70 GAA) got the start for Calgary. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:
Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Smith-Pelly
Vrana-Eller-Wilson
Connolly-Beagle-Chiasson
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Chorney-Bowey
Nathan Walker and Aaron Ness were the healthy scratches. Christian Djoos and Andre Burakovsky missed the game due to injury. This was the 13th game missed by Burakovaky.
FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals wasted little time in lighting the lamp in this one, when Lars Eller collected a beautiful feed from Jakub Vrana and wristed one home just 1:02 into the first stanza.
The Flames would answer when Johnny Gaudreau tallied a nasty writer from the top of the right circle at the 4:49 mark. This was Gaudreau’s 6th consecutive game with a goal and 10th straight game with a point.
The period would end with the game knotted at 1-1. Capitals led in shots on goal 12-11 for the period. Calgary was 0 for 2 and Washington 0 for 1 on the power play. The Flames led the faceoff battle 62% to 38%.
SECOND PERIOD
The Flames would grab the lead with a power play goal by Sean Monahan at 5:22 of the middle frame. Johnny Gaudreau was credited with the assist, giving him 18 points (7g, 11a) in the last 10 games.
The would be all of the scoring for the middle frame. Calgary outshot Washington 13-6 for the second period and led 24-18 after two periods of play. The Flames were 1 of 3 and the Capitals 0 for 2 on the power play through two periods of play.
THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals were awarded a power play 33 seconds into the final frame, but Washington was unable to capitalize. Calgary would go to the man-advantage a few minutes later, and they would cash-in with a goal by Mikael Backlund at 4:38 of the third period.
The Flames would add another By goal Mark Giordano at 6:39 of the final frame, making it 4-1. That would be the final.
By Jon Sorensen
SCENES FROM THE DISTRICT
Very bad game. I was disgusted enough to leave after the Flames 4th goal. But feeling under the weather anyhow which also motivated me to leave.
Nice beginning. Too bad team had to fall apart. And not be able to capitalize on their early shots or their power plays.
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