Screen cap: Instagram: @Divvy
Thursday night’s 3-2 shootout victory over rival Pittsburgh can be credited to any number of Capitals players. Alex Ovechkin’s power play goal and Marcus Johansson’s late tally propelled the Capitals to eventually sending the game into overtime and ultimately to a decisive shootout.
In the shootout, it would be Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom that would convert on their attempts, in combination with strong goaltender play by Darcy Kuemper, that eventually awarded the Capitals the extra point.
Kuznetsov would be the first to convert, utilizing his unique (for now) slow-rolling approach, ultimately going low blocker side on Penguins netminder Casey DeSmith.
Evgeny Kuznetsov did it again…😂 pic.twitter.com/01NxuOu0Fz
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 27, 2023
Nicklas Backstrom would follow Kuznetsov and also convert, also in the same location as Kuznetsov.
SWEET SWEET NICKY SHOOTOUT WINNER pic.twitter.com/ne30SWhxwB
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 27, 2023
Backstrom and Kuznetsov exchanged a few seemingly guarded words following Backstrom’s successful shootout attempt. It appeared as if they were exchanging notes, and agreeing on the successful recipe for beating DeSmith. [at the end of the following video].
Backy and Kuzy exchanging notes. #ALLCAPS [🎥 IG: @divvy] pic.twitter.com/5eKJqwBbZ9
— #ALLCAPS (@JonItBe) January 27, 2023
“I had seen Kuznetsov put one just before and tried to do like him,” Backstrom told Swedish media outlet Sportbladet after the game. [Translated by Google Translate] “The scouts had informed us where there are sometimes gaps in the target ice, so I looked there and found one.”
Scouts rarely receive much in the way of public kudos of any kind, but are such an important part of a team’s success (or lack there of). Stick taps to the Capitals scouting folks for their work in preparation for the Penguins. A job well done.
By Jon Sorensen
From my perspective both went under arm blocker side. Well done.
Scouts getting it done.
Stingrays lost 4-3. No Clay and, for some reason, no Has either. Bear has been quiet since the All Star break – 0 goals, 0 assists, both SOGs third period. Maass did score in third but it wasn’t enough.
Clay was officially re-assigned from Hershey to SC this a.m.
Also, I noticed Martin Has was not in the lineup. Any intro?
Will have to see if he goes to North Charleston or Ft Myers. Tyler Wall lost last two games against the Everblades (still my favorite hockey name ever) but still no explanation for Clay’s sudden departure from the first game against them.
Any scoop on Martin Has?
Have not seen anything on their website. Have not released roster for tonight’s game. I would assume that he has the flu or something. Anything bigger I think would be mentioned. But, then there is Garin. . . . .
Rumor is back injury for Bjorklund. And it doesn’t sound like ‘s gonna be back any time soon.
Then why isn’t he on LTIR? Is there some rule, contractual or financial reason for him to just stay on the roster?
You got me. You know more about ECHL workings that me.
Cap Friendly shows no indication of his injury.
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/capitals
Ha, if you’re depending on me to know the workings of the ECHL, you’re in real trouble. Just a fan wanting to be entertained.
OK, if the Caps loan a player to Hershey and that player gets injured and has season ending surgery, do the Caps put him on LTIR? He’s under a Caps contract, not a Bears contract. Or do the Bears put him on some sort of reserve? Or do the Caps and Bears do nothing?
Rays put third goalie on reserve so Clay will be in net or on the bench tonight.
Props to the scouts AND the video review crew (Emily and Stretch)