Capitals Prospect Showcase: Game 2 – Ilya Samsonov Pitches Shutout as Capitals Blank Lightning 5-0

@TBLightning

After a tight battle with the Nashville Predators prospects on Saturday, where the Capitals ended up on the short-end of a 5-4 final, the Capitals prospects rebounded nicely Monday morning to convincingly beat the Tampa Bay Lightning prospects 5-0. The baby Caps are now 1-1, with one more game to play on Tuesday.

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals showed dominance in all aspects of the game in the early going, including dominance in puck battles and play along the boards. The Capitals also dominated in quality scoring chances, possession time and time in the offensive zone for the opening frame. It should be noted that the Lightning played Sunday afternoon, and the Capitals had the day off on Sunday.

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby would strike first for the Caps, scoring on a backhander, with primary help from Brian Pinho, just 42 seconds into the contest. Brian Pinho recorded an assist on Jonsson-Fjallby’s goal. Pinho leads the Capitals in points (1g,1a) after recording a shorthanded goal in the Capitals’ first game of the Rookie Showcase.

The Capitals extended their lead to 2-0 on a PPG from Riley Sutter, who fronted the net on a timing play, converting a nice feed from Martin Fehervary at 6:33 of the first. Kristofers Bindulis also recorded an assist on Sutter’s power play goal.

Capitals held the 2-0 leading heading into the first intermission, and led in shots on goal 10-4 after 20 minutes.

SECOND PERIOD
The Lightning started the second period on the power play, and although they were unable to score, used the advantage to carry over a more aggressive style of play in the first half of the middle frame.

But the Capitals would withstand the initial surge by the Bolts, and strike first in the middle frame. Alex Akexeyev and Shane Gersich would hook-up for a goal on an early power play to give the Capitals a 3-0 lead.p. This was the Caps second shot of the period.

The Lightning led in shots on goal 14-12 for the game, midway through the middle frame.

The Capitals held a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes of play, and led in shots on goal 17-14 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
Capitals Beck Malenstyn made it 4-0 on a blast from the slot with 5:30 expired in the final frame. Alex Alexeyev was credited with the primary assist, his second primary helper of the game.

Just after the conclusion of a Capitals power play, Jusso Ikonen forced a turnover in neutral ice and connected with Kody Clark on a breakaway. Clark buried a top-shelf wrsiter to make it 5-0 at 9:37 of third.

That would be the final. Capitals led in shots on goal 25-21 for the game.

SHOOTOUT
Prospect games include a three-attempt shootout at the end of the game regardless of the score, to give goalies a bit of extra work, and for teams to assess shootout skills of certain players.

Martin Fehevary and Jusso Ikonen scored, Beck Malenstyn, Garrett Pilon and Kristofers Bindulis were denied. Samsonov denied four of five attempts by the Lightning.

POSTGAME
Hershey Nears new head coach Spencer Carbery met with Mike Vogel and Zack Fisch following the game:

.@thehersheybears Head Coach, Spencer Carbery, on the 5-0 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 2 of the #ProspectShowcase #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/kuFQR1GCeY

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 10, 2018

NoVa Caps player analysis is here.

The Future Caps shine in the Sunshine State – taking down the Lightning 5-0 in Game 2 of the #ProspectShowcase. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/EB1iot77bE

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 11, 2018

SHAVINGS

Siegenthaler, Pinho and Gersich were given the “A”s today (No Captain). At Saturday’s game, Hobbs had the “C” and Gersich and Johansen were the alternates.
Capitals Ilya Samsonov had a much better showing in game 2. He appeared much more calm and less nervous than he was in Game 1, stopping all 21 shots he faced, the first shutout of any goaltender in the Rookie Showcase. In the Showcase, Samsonov has stopped 46 of the 51 shots he’s faced, good for a .902 save percentage, the second-highest save percentage of any goaltender in the Showcase.
Brian Pinho and Martin Fehervary met with the media following the game:

Strong performances from Brian Pinho and Martin Fehervary in Game 2 of the #ProspectShowcase this morning #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/qH7wnzYo6I

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 10, 2018

The Capitals will face the Nashville Predators Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. to close-out the prospect tournament.
The Lightning are finished with the tournament, and returned home to Tampa without a win. The Lightning were outscored 10-3 over the two games of the Showcase.
Mike Vogel’s game recap is here.