Capitals Down Winnipeg 4-3, (OT), Sweep Season Jet Set

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Jon Sorensen
Photo: Rob Carr/NHL via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals downed the Winnipeg Jets, 4-3 (OT) on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. After giving up two quick goals early in the first period, the Capitals scored three unanswered goals to lead late in regulation.

Trailing 2-0, the Capitals finally dented twine with a tally from Alex Ovechkin late in the first period. The Capitals tied the game early in the second period on a blast by Dmitry Orlov and headed into the second intermission tied 2-2.

The Capitals took their first lead of the game early in the final frame with a wrap-around goal from Aliaksei Protas, but the Jets Answered with a 6-on-5 goal late to send the game to overtime. Tom Wilson won it in overtime.

The Jets would tie it up in the final minute of play to send the game to overtime, but this time the extra frame would go the Capitals way. Tom Wilson would pot the game-winning goal in the extra frame.

The victory improves the Capitals record to 22-9-9 (53 points) on the season.

STATS

STARTERS

Vitek Vanecek (7-4-0-5, 2.46 GAA, .911 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the  Capitals. Connor Hellebuyck (14-10-0-4, 2.73 GAA, .916 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Jets. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

Scratches: T.J. Oshie (upper-body injury), John Carlson (COVID protocol) and Conor Sheary (COVID protocol). Matt Irwin and Michael Sgarbossa were the healthy scratches.

FIRST PERIOD

The Jets struck quickly after Dmitry Orlov was called for slashing just 22 seconds into the game. Kyle Connor (21) notched the game’s first tally at 1:02 of the opening frame. Andrew Copp (15) and Mark Scheifele (5) had the apples.

The Jets stretched their lead to 2-0 just 78 seconds later with a goal from Cole Perfetti (1) at 2:20 of the first frame. Pierre-Luc Dubois (12) and Kyle Connor (18) had the assists. It was Perfetti’s first career NHL goal.

The Capitals would finally find the back of the net with a goal from Alex Ovechkin (27)  at 16:58 of the first frame. Garnet Hathaway (7) had the lone assist, but it was a beauty.

The period would end with the Jets leading, 2-1. The Capitals led in shots 18-8. Scoring chances were tied 7-7. The Capitals led in high-danger chances for 55.56% to 44.44% and expected goals for percentage.

SECOND PERIOD

The Capitals tied the game early in the middle frame on a blast from Dmitry Orlov (5) at 4:26 of the second period. Connor McMichael (6) and Lars Eller (12) had the helpers.

The second period concluded with the game tied, 2-2. The Capitals led in shot attempts 17-16, scoring chances 11-9 and expected goals 1.85 to 1.42 in the middle frame.

THIRD PERIOD

The Capitals took a 3-2 lead with a goal from Aliskei Protas (3) at 4:15 of the third period. Justin Schultz (6) and Tom Wilson (16) had the assists.

The Jets would tie the game with a 6-on-5 goal late in the final frame to second the game to overtime.

OVERTIME

Tom Wilson won it in overtime. The winning goal was setup on an aggressive charge into the zone and final pass by Evgeny Kuznetsov.

The Capitals are back in action on Thursday when they visit the Bruins in Boston. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.

SHAVINGS

  • Tom Wilson has scored a goal in three-straight games, matching his longest goal streak of the season (Nov. 21 – Nov. 26: 3g).
  • Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded the assist on Wilson’s goal, his 27th assist of the season. Kuznetsov’s nine game-winning assists this season lead the Capitals.
  • With the assist, Kuznetsov extends his point streak to four games (1g, 5a).
  • Tonight’s game marked the first time the Capitals have overcome a multi-goal deficit to win this season.
  • Nick Jensen led Capitals skaters with 24:11 of ice time, marking a season high.
  • Alex Ovechkin cut the Jets’ lead to 2-1 with his NHL-leading 27th goal of the season and his third-straight game with a goal. With that goal, Ovechkin has recorded his 1,375th career point (757g, 618a) to pass Mike Modano for the 24th-most points in NHL history.
  • Garnet Hathaway picked up the primary assist on Ovechkin’s goal, his seventh assist of the season and 14th point.
  • Dmitry Orlov tied the game 2-2 with his fifth goal of the season. With five goals in 38 games, Orlov is on pace to tie his career high of 10 goals set during the 2017-18 season.
  • Connor McMichael picked up the primary assist on Orlov’s goal, his sixth assist of the season, four of which have been primary assists.

SCENES FROM THE DISTRICT

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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4 Responses to Capitals Down Winnipeg 4-3, (OT), Sweep Season Jet Set

  1. Debbie Finch says:
    January 19, 2022 at 9:11 am

    Did anyone else notice the goal was scored with 4 minutes and 34 seconds left by number 43 and it was scored in the 4th period.

    Reply
  2. DC Scappeli says:
    January 19, 2022 at 10:57 am

    I am hoping the Caps can come out in the second half of the season with more focus and consistency. Lavi is too good of a coach and the team has too much talent to be chasing the game and down 2 in the first few minutes of the first!

    And please, get to the net more. I don’t if it’s their areas of responsibilities, the offensive system, but it seems like they never get enough bodies down low. Instead, it seems like only one player is down around the net when a shot comes from the circles.

    But Kuzy’s attacking the net and Willy coming in to crash and get that pass was beautiful. More of that please.

    Reply

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