Photo: John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals fell to the St. Louis Blues by a score of 5-2 Friday night at Capital One Arena. The loss dropped the Capitals’ record to 33-30-7 and 73 points on the season. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 17 saves in the loss.
Lines & Pairs
Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Conor Sheary
T.J. Oshie — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano — Nicklas Backstrom — Craig Smith
Aliaksei Protas — Nic Dowd — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Rasmus Sandin — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Martin Fehervary — Alexander Alexeyev
Matt Irwin — Gabriel Carlsson
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Scratches: Left-wing Anthony Mantha and defenseman Nick Jensen
Transactions: Forward Joe Snively returned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Thursday.
Injuries: Left-wing Carl Hagelin (hip), right-wing Connor Brown (ACL), and defenseman John Carlson (upper-body)
First Period
Left-wing Sammy Blais got the visiting Blues on the board and took an early 1-0 lead at the 1:54 mark.
BOOM SAMMY BLAIS! #stlblues pic.twitter.com/5lrD9VBIzX
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 17, 2023
Quick Stats
SOG: 11-7 Capitals
Face-Off Win %: 57% (Capitals), 43% (Blues)
Hits: 6-6
Second Period
Center Jordan Kyrou extended the Blues’ lead at the 4:52 mark, making it a 2-0 game.
They keep trying, but nobody is stopping Jordan Kyrou. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/n4TGYUCAbi
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 18, 2023
It would be 3-0 in favor of St. Louis with a goal from right-wing Kasperi Kapanen at the 9:25 mark.
Let ‘er rip, Kappy! #stlblues pic.twitter.com/Pt9fq4Ex2d
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 18, 2023
With just over five minutes left in the middle frame, Blais would pot his second of the night and give the Blues a healthy 4-0 lead.
Where did it go?!? No one knew for a moment, but it’s in for a Blues goal! Sammy Blais with his second tonight! #stlblues
TV: Bally Sports Midwest
Stream: https://t.co/00WT27hyNq pic.twitter.com/lSsSTmdysI— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) March 18, 2023
Quick Stats
Total SOG: 20-18 Capitals
Face-Off Win %: 62% (Capitals), 38% (Blues)
Total Hits: 14-11 Capitals
Third Period
Fehervary (6) would finally get the Capitals on the board at the 5:47 mark, making it a 4-1 game. Alexeyev (5) and Milano (20) assisted.
Sniped pic.twitter.com/Y1gYlty5Hb
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 18, 2023
Backstrom (5) would score on a late power-play and make it a 4-2 game still in favor of the Blues. Ovechkin (28) and Sandin (25) had the helpers.
Center Brayden Schenn would add an empty-net goal for St. Louis for a 5-2 final score.
Quick Stats
Total SOG: 34-22 Capitals
Face-Off Win %: 64% (Capitals), 36% (Blues)
Total Hits: 20-16 Capitals
Notes Through the Game
- Fehervary scored his second goal in his last five games.
- Alexeyev recorded his second-straight game with an assist.
- Milano picked up his 20th assist, which ties a single-season career high (2021-22: 20a).
- Four of Backstrom’s five goals this season have come on the power play.
- In just seven games with Washington, Sandin has recorded 10 points (1g, 9a).
The Capitals tangle next with the Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Sunday and wrap up their season series against Minnesota. NBC Sports Washington and NHL Network will have the coverage beginning at 2 PM ET.
By Della Young