Photo: Alika Jenner/Getty Images
The Washington Capitals fell to the Seattle Krakken, 3-2 (OT) Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The loss drops the Capitals record to 10-11-4 (24 points) on the season.
Darcy Kuemper (8-9-1, 2.51 GAA, .917 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Capitals. Former Washington Capitals netminder Philipp Grubauer (1-1-1, 3.35 GAA, .870 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Kraken. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:
Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Conor Sheary
Sonny Milano— Evgeny Kuznetsov — T.J. Oshie
Marcus Johansson — Lars Eller — Anthony Mantha
Aliaksei Protas — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway
Erik Gustafsson — John Carlson
Martin Fehervary — Nick Jensen
Matt Irwin — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Extras: Dmitry Orlov, Joe Snively, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Alex Alexeyev
Injuries: Tom Wilson (ACL), Nicklas Backstrom (hip), Carl Hagelin (hip), Connor Brown, Beck Malenstyn (finger).
FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals opened the scoring with a blast by Martin Fehervary on the team’s second shot on goal of the game at 7:36 of the opening stanza. It was Fehervary’s second goal in as many games. Conor Sheary (5) Alex Ovechkin (11) had the helpers.
With around 35 friends and family members in the Climate Pledge Arena crowd on Thursday night, Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie, who grew up 30 miles north of Climate Pledge Arena, dropped the gloves with the Seattle Kraken’s Yanni Gourde in the first period.
Oshie, who spoke about playing in his native Washington State for the first time prior to tonight’s game, delivered a hit that the Kraken took exception to.
👊 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/V3egEYykIL
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 2, 2022
Conor Sheary extended the Capitals lead with his eighth goals of the season at x on the power play. Marcus Johansson (7) and Alex Ovechkin (12) had the helpers.
That’s two! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/9PF4bHvyZd
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 2, 2022
The Capitals lead 2-0 after 20. They had a good first 12 minutes but then Kraken took over possession. The Kraken led in 5v5 shot attempts 22-10. Need to stem the in the 2nd.
SECOND PERIOD
The Kraken cut the Capitals lead to one on Jaden Schwartz’ eight goal of the season, a power play tally at 13:28. Vince Dunn (x) and Andre Burakovsky (15) had the helpers.
That would be all the scoring in the middle frame. The Caps led 2-1 after 40.
The Caps did a good job at evening up the shot attempts for the first 14 minutes of the middle frame, then the Kraken took over possession, again. Kraken lead in 5v5 shot attempts 38-18 after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Kraken tied the game Yanni Gourde with 2:27 remaining in regulation. Daniel Sprong (9) and Vince Dunn (12) had the helpers.
Regulation expired with the game tied 2-2.
OVERTIME
The Kraken won it just seven seconds into overtime. Matty Beniers (10) would pot the game-winning tally.
The Capitals are back in action on Saturday when they visit the Flames in Calgary. Puck drop is set for 10PM ET.
SHAVINGS
That’s what an old decrepit team looks like, in case you were wondering.
Embarrassing
The overtime was…I had to laugh.
There was no time to laugh!
Please for the love of God fire Lavi and Blaine and make trades NOW
Reviewing his overtime strategy. I have questions.
Sounds like a poor strategy there.
This is one reason why I think he’s not right for the job. How can you make those kind of decisions? I don’t really know the coach except from a distance prior to coming to Washington, but I’ve seen some bad personnel decisions, including his constant changing of lines, though he’s not done that in a few games now (which is different).
I have my doubts as well. I wonder how contract negotiations are going/not going in Arlington?
Silly. Coaches don’t play. At the end of the game – with the Caps ahead – we had nothing left. We’re old and without several of our best players. Whom, do you suppose, we can trade for better players?
They did seem to deteriorate as the game progressed.
That’s ok coach, we’re not happy about you and your coaches as well. How about we discuss all of you and your decisions?
Why wasnt Interference called on the faceoff in OT when Burky ran into Carlson without the put. From where I sat it looked deliberate.
I was wondering same thing.
Caps are unable to win low scoring games. Goalies get their shutouts (or give up just one goal games) when team scores several.
I agree. When was the last 2-1 win?
How many times do I have to say never put Carlson and Eller on ice at same time.
That was a fatal flaw
I dont think that the HC cares just as long s he gets what the wants. There is no rhyme or reason to what he does anymore and frankly the GM doesnt have the balls to fire him. For my 2 cants both the HC and GM need to go and most or all of the front office and start over. Sad to say but hanging unto the HC, GM and most of these tired, old players just to get Ovie the record speaks poorly for the organization and owner. Shame that a once proud organization is going down the tubes to satisfy the ego of the owner and one player. This team is not and has not been or will be a playoff team in the next 5 years; by that I mean one that can challenge for the Cup, as just making the playoffs means nothing when you go out in the first round.
Interesting the years ex Caps are having. I am sure a few have improved just by leaving HCPLs system. Like Schultz, Sprong and the two goalies.
It’s good to see, just not against us.
The owner and Gm would rather spend money on tired, old, slow players than spend it on a good HC and assistants!!
Been Cap fans for over 40 years. Had Seattle -120. Not only doesn’t it hurt but I’m happy thank you very much.
Gambling > Capitals I guess for you. Not a crime to make a few bucks. Congrats.