Photo: Andy Devlin/NHL via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals fell to the Edmonton Oilers, 4-3 (OT) Wednesday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. The loss drops the Capitals record to 31-18-10 (72 points) on the season.
SUMMARY
Following a scoreless first frame, Nicklas Backstrom started the scoring with a no-look backhander early in the second period to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead. The Oilers answered with a power play goal midway through the middle frame and would take their first lead late in the frame for a 2-1 score at the second intermission.
The Capitals tied the game early in the final frame with a power play goal from T.J. Oshie. Nicklas Backstrom had an assist on the Oshie goal, which was his 1,000th career NHL point.
But the Oilers would strike right back to take a 3-2 lead midway through the final frame. The Capitals tied the score with a goal from T.J. Oshie with two seconds left in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
The Oilers would win it in overtime.
STATS
STARTERS
Ilya Samsonov (17-9-0-3, 2.93 GAA, .901 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Capitals. Mikko Koskinen (19-9-0-3, 3.05 GAA, .904 sv%) got the start in goal for the Oilers. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:
Scratches: Daniel Sprong, Michal Kempny and Matt Irwin.
FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals and Oilers skated to a scoreless draw in the opening frame.
Oilers led in shot attempts 21-14, scoring chances 10-7, high-danger chances 4-3 and expected goals 1.05 to .65.
SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals opened the scoring with a goal from Nicklas Backstrom (5) at 2:17 of the middle frame. Anthony Mantha (5) and T.J. Oshie (10)
A no-look backhand?
That’s surely a nice way for Nicklas Backstrom to register his 999th career point! 👏 pic.twitter.com/pHynrdPa1o
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 10, 2022
The Oilers answered with a power play goal from Kailer Yamamoto (12) at 12:01 of the second period. Connor McDavid (51) and Evan Bouchard (21) had the helpers.
Kailer Yamamoto a placé sa palette sur la glace.
Connor McDavid s’est occupé du reste.#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/yhYNpHoy9K
— LNH (@LNH_FR) March 10, 2022
The Capitals appeared to take a 2-1 lead with a power play goal from John Carlson late in the frame,. but the goal was called back after a review determined the play was offsides.
The Oilers would subsequently take the 2-1 lead on a goal from Cody Ceci (3) at 18:12 of the second period. Brad Malone (1) and Derek Ryan (8) had the assists.
Cody Ceci gives the @EdmontonOilers the lead! pic.twitter.com/cYaAS4qje5
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 10, 2022
The period would conclude with the Oilers leading 2-1. Oilers led in shot attempts 16-12 in the middle frame and 36-26 after two periods. Oilers led in scoring chances 10-5 and high-danger chances 5-0 in the second period. Oilers led in expected goals 1.26 to .3 in the middle frame.
THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals tied the game on a power play goal from T.J. Oshie (x) at 6:13 of the final frame. Nicklas Backstrom (15) and John Carlson (31) had the assists. It was Backstrom’s 1,000th NHL point.
L’un des meilleurs passeurs de sa génération!
1000 points en carrière pour Nicklas Backstrom 🙌 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/WReXX9egqM
— LNH (@LNH_FR) March 10, 2022
But the Oilers would strike back. Brad Malone (1) at 10:31 of the third period.
This was Brad Malone’s first @NHL goal since December 2015. And it was as biggie.
How’s that for perseverance?#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/hQwWGReSrI
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 10, 2022
The Capitals tied the game with two seconds left in regulation with a goal from T.J. Oshie. John Carlson (37) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (38) had the helpers.
T.J. OSHIE TIES THE GAME WITH LESS THAN A SECOND TO GO!
— RotoRadar (@RotoRadar) March 10, 2022
Oshie mic’d up for the game-tying tally.
TJ oshie is a joy to the world :,) pic.twitter.com/HGUbhfpq6k
— sammy (@holtbymoly) March 10, 2022
The game would require extra time.
OVERTIME
Connor McDavid would win it for the Oilers in overtime.
McDavid ends it
pic.twitter.com/rd5VPqfHav— Bet The Pucks (@betthepucks) March 10, 2022
The Capitals are back in action on Friday when they complete their three-game western Canada road trip against the Canucks in Vancouver. Puck drop is set for 10:00 PM ET.
SHAVINGS
- Entering the Capitals were 8-5-2 in back-to-back sets this season and have earned points in eight of their last 11 games against the Oilers (6-3-2), dating back to Jan. 20, 2015.
- Nicklas Backstrom gave the Caps a 1-0 lead with his fifth goal of the season. Backstrom now sits one point shy of 1,000 career points (263g, 736a).
- Anthony Mantha and T.J. Oshie eached picked up an assist. Mantha now has two points (1g, 1a) in his four games since returning from injury on March 3.
- T.J. Oshie tied the game 2-2 with Nicklas Backstrom recording the primary assist. That marks Backstrom’s 1,000th career point (263g, 737a).
SCENES FROM VANCOUVER
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca50G9fJuuH/?utm_medium=copy_link
I know that a zero means nothing but ” It was Backstrom’s 1,00th NHL point.” does need another one.
Ugh. Thanks Fyre. 👊
I admit my prediction was wrong — it wasn’t all about Ovi. The Caps smartly didn’t make it all about the Captain and his record. Ovi was 5th highest TOI and didn’t play every second of every PP.
Too many shots. 20 by the Oilers in the first period? Where was our defense? Our offense?
If John Walton had any hair before the game, it would have been gone by the end with Samsonov’s antics. They worked — only one goal per 13 shots — but how they did is beyond me.
I felt we were playing Philly. Should not be any bad blood between the two teams but the Oilers were extremely aggressive. Maybe it’s their style. Maybe it was Ovi seeking a record. Maybe it was Ukraine. Maybe I imagined it. But I just got the feeling that they were hittikng even more than they were shooting.
We are really going to miss Osh when he hangs up the skates.
He certainly gave his all. Ovi was firing the puck right from the start. Seems like he has those games when he is pressing to reach or pass a milestone. A ton of shots but no results. He’ll almost certainly pass Jagr on Friday in Vancouver..
SAMMY was great kept us in the game
What d-bag in the last photo. Ovi on a horse with a bare-chested Putin. The loser is just standing there, too. Not a lot to do in Edmonton is suppose.
He looks stoned.
Ovenchin needs his face hammered.
Why?
Love it when Nicky shoots more. I know he’s a great center but at times, I wish he’d be a little more selfish and shoot rather than look to pass. It keeps the defense honest instead of cheating towards the other players (namely Ovi when Nicky is on the first line). Keep ’em guessing Nicky!