Photo: X/@NHLBlackhawks
The Washington Capitals defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 for their second straight win. It was a pretty even game from the start, but that was expected considering that both teams were on the back-ends on back-to-back slates.
Here is how it went down.
PERIOD 1
There was no score in the first period. The Blackhawks had two power plays and the Caps killed it off. The Caps had a power play of their own that was cut short.
The Blackhawks outshot Washington 10-9.
PERIOD 2
Chicago got on the board first after Dylan Strome lofted a puck up the middle of the ice which was intercepted and the Caps were in an extended shift. Phillipp Kurashev parked himself right in front of Darcy Kuemper giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. Seth Jones and Connor Bedard had the assists.
tic-tac-toe pic.twitter.com/hcrOovydZM
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 11, 2023
The Capitals responded two minutes later. Anthony Mantha got his second goal in as many games on a partial breakaway. Connor McMichael had the only assist.
he’s the MANtha pic.twitter.com/Zw0BQv7zRr
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 11, 2023
The Hawks started to tilt the ice with another power play, but Dylan Strome gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead with 6:10 to go in the second. Joel Edmundson and Alex Ovechkin had the helpers. It also marked Edmundson’s first point as a Cap.
Stromer’s 11th goal of the season
Eddy’s first point as a Cap pic.twitter.com/5j0micYafZ— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 11, 2023
Nic Dowd doubled the lead with 4:37 to go in the middle frame. Beck Malenstyn and Nick Jensen had the apples.
keep it goin’ pic.twitter.com/IKgP8Dhrbz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 11, 2023
The Blackhawks outshot the Capitals 12-7 in the second.
PERIOD 3
Dowd got his second goal at the 4:02 mark of the third to make it 4-1 for the visitors. Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn had the assists.
Nic Dowd gets a big insurance goal for Washington late in the third period!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/67bRggcy2J
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 11, 2023
After some penalties, Connor Murphy cut the deficit to two during some 4v4 play. Bedard had the assist with a nifty cross-ice saucer pass.
Up Next
The Capitals will travel to the city of brotherly love to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.
By Jacob Cheris
Bears lost to Charlotte 3-1. Lappy scored a shorthanded goal, their only goal but his second in two games. Clay got the loss.
Loving Dowd after the mic stuff yesterday. Loving him more today. I think I need another jersey.
Also enjoyed Dowd’s mic’d up segment. Very insightful.
Convincing wins against two Original Six teams. Back to back nights. Back in the Playoff conversation. Mo has seven goals. K35 looked at least reasonable in goal. Hard to complain about Caps this weekend
The main concern is about Ovi’s lack of scoring.
The main concern is that dreadful power play. Methinks if one problem gets solved, the other soon follows.
Go Caps!
Great that the Caps won both games in a back to back set. I was majorly annoyed that they gave up the first goal but at least they came back soon after and opened up a three goal lead.
So, which line will Patches go on when he returns? Normally, he’s been the 1LW in the past but would he be ready for that role right after returning from such a severe injury.
I was always under the impression he’d slide in as the 2LW. Who knows maybe they want to ease him in by putting him on the 3rd line, or if he hits the ground running (or ice skating?) and Ovi continues to underperform they can put Patches up top and Ovi down to the 2nd line.
Every time I see Ovi scoot himself with one leg I begin to think Dan Holmi from Locked on Caps might be onto something about him dealing with some kind of injury. I think he just slacked off on his conditioning this summer, but you never know. Wouldn’t shock me if he’s dealing with something. The team has shown they can win games without him, maybe giving him a few weeks off on IR to get himself back in shape will help the team in the long run, but we know they won’t do that.
I would not be surprised if Ovi is dealing with an injury. Guys don’t usually just drop from 40 goals to very few. It probably isn’t just him slacking off on conditioning this summer.
Originally, I assumed Patches would be 2LW but with Ovi’s continued slump and the fact the second line seems to be jelling pretty well, I’m wondering if other options might be considered. (I’m sure if there was any threat of a “healthy” scratch for Ovi, it would turn out there was an injury and he would then deal with that injury.)
I’ll have to go find the mic’d up segment.
Game tonight was fun. So important for us to win this one given b2b’s, inferior team, games in hand. This now puts us in 3rd in metro and back in the playoffs.
Really like the lines and pairings right now. Hopefully can keep this band together for a couple of weeks.
Also, having the 4th line gelling is huge. And their offensive contributions this weekend were amazing.
Hey, I took a listen. Real team leader, and so supportive of his teammates. Impressed.
Offseason: Why is Mantha still here?
Preseason: Oh he lost some weight? That’s nice. When do we trade him?
First month: See, he’s just a waste of ice time.
2nd month: Oh wow he actually looks pretty good. At least he’s upping his trade value if anything.
3rd month: Omg. Is Mantha actually good? Do we… do we have to trade him?
Now: I owe you an apology Anthony. I wasn’t familiar with your game. Extend this man now.
See I think 8 should drop some weight also
I wouldn’t go that far.
I was half-joking on the extension part lol
Personally, I never wanted to extend him. I never wanted him in the first place. If he is upping his trade value, great. If he chips in a few goals to help the team make a run for the playoffs, great. I wish him the best of luck with whoever of the other 31 NHL teams he signs with.
Great to see Mantha back on track… CMM and AP with 12 pts each! Depth in scoring and balanced the last two games.. Solid all around… but the question today is the report by EF of the Caps going after Ethan Bear… who does he replace? Kuzmenko? Who sits?
I’m guessing EF is Elliott Friedman. If the Caps pick up Ethan Bear, then one of the right handed defensemen will have to go. Won’t be Carlson of course. Either TVR or Jensen. My money would be on TVR. He’s more affordable to contenders.
Eventually the Caps are gonna have to risk Alexeyev and/or Johansen to waivers. Who will it be?
Man I wish CMM had corralled the puck on that prime goal opportunity. I love that he’s putting himself in those kinds of positions. Just needs to do a little better at finishing. That’s been a bit of an issue for him.
His pass to Mantha to setup first goal was pretty sweet.
McMike’s the Man! And his linemates McMantha, and McProtas.
I really like his interactions with the press.
I have asked him three questions and every single time he gives an insightful and thoughtful answer. His son plays at the rink that I work at and he recognized me. And I said “thanks for answering my questions.” and he said “anything you need, just let me know. Open door.” Said it with a big smile on his face. He is an absolute gem.
So you’re gonna take him up on that offer, right? C’mon Jake, get us a scoop!
Hahahaha.
But you really should. Why just sit there and listen. Ask the questions. That is part of building the relationship with him. Stars there. I can tell you plenty of stories of talking to people in the organization. If you just engage (like a person) they will talk. They are just people.