Photo: X/@Capitals
The Washington Capitals played another low-scoring game that was a defensive stalemate and it eventually required overtime. It took a bit for the Capitals to get rolling, but they eventually found their legs.
But the Lightning ended up taking the extra point with a 2-1 shootout win heading into the holiday break.
Here is how it went down.
PERIOD 1
The Capitals looked like they were already thinking about their Christmas plans, and looked a step behind for the entirety of the first period.
Shortly after the Lightning power play, some miscommunication between Rasmus Sandin and Charlie Lindgren, failed to get the puck out. Luke Glendenning deflected a long shot from Victor Hedman making it 1-0 Bolts at 7:29.
Glendening gifts us with our first goal of the night. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/3gCtOuzDMg
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 24, 2023
The Capitals started to find their game late in the period but they headed into the intermission 1-0. Washington outshot Tampa Bay 13-11
PERIOD 2
Anthony Mantha scored his 10th goal of the season after a puck deflected off his body and in. Nick Jensen and Aliaksei Protas had the helpers at 2:01.
make sure you stock up on hot hands this winter pic.twitter.com/IlgtN5LosI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 24, 2023
Jensen thought to have given the Capitals the lead, but the goal was waved off due to offsides.
That was all the action for the middle stanza. The Capitals outshot the Lightning 10-5.
#ALLCAPS and #GoBolts tied 1-1 after 2 periods. Possession metrics also close, with the #Caps leading in 5v5 shot attempts, 37-35, xGF 1.62 to 1.04 and high-danger chances, 7-5. pic.twitter.com/51e9DpFepN
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 24, 2023
PERIOD 3
There was no score in the third period and it required overtime for the fourth consecutive night. Washington outshot Tampa 6-2.
Overtime
Overtime was not enough and it required a shootout.
Shootout
Round 1: Kuznetsov, score; Stamkos, miss
Round 2: Strome, miss; Point, score
Round 3: Ovechkin, miss; Kucherov, miss
Round 4: McMichael, miss; Hedman, score
Lightning win
Up Next
The Capitals will not be back in action until Wednesday, Dec. 27 when they take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
By Jacob Cheris
I know I said I expected to lose that game. And I’ll take the point, but man we should have walked away with the dub tonight. We looked like the better team. I knew we were gonna lose the shootout when Charlie stayed in. I love the guy, but he’s been Swiss cheese on SO’s, and he was playing through an injury. I was kinda hoping we’d see Kuemper in net for the final stanza.
Tampa announcers agree — Caps outplayed the Bolts. Outshot them 34-20. Coop said the Bolts survived. And I too think Darcy is better in shootouts.
Caps outshot Bolts 34-20. They outplayed the Bolts in the third but really outplayed them in the second. Tampa announcers were not at all happy with Bolts in second.
Still don’t understand why Ovi is in top part of shootout list. That is not his strength. Never has been.
Coop complimented Caps defense in his postgame. Said they were a very disciplined team in their own end and Tampa is trying to emulate. Basically said his team survived. Vasy was the only player he mentioned.
Only three penalties called. Video replay did show the puck was not controlled when entering the zone in the coach’s challenge and video replay showed Kuzy slashing Stammer in OT which was not called. But if I had done over/under on penalties, I never would have picked 3. This was first 7pm game to finish regulation.
OT was a comedy, a joke. Tampa announcers said rumors are that GMs are looking to make changes to it to prevent the endless looping. I still like the idea of no blue lines, what some call pond hockey. I don’t like the idea of a shot clock. But I would redo game points — 3 for a regulation win, 2 for an OT win, 1 for a SO win, and 0 for the loser no matter when the loss occurs. Give them more incentive to finish sooner.
Agree Ovi should not be in the shoot out. Until Oshie scored recently he was a no goal in the shoot out for about 8 or 9 consecutive attempts. Is age showing up? On a new note Ovi can’;t play at age 38 at a weight of 239 pounds. he needs to lose 20 pounds and maybe he will regain oe of the two steps he has lost and maybe the goals will return!!!
Ovi needs to go on the Mantha Diet
4-on-4 overtime for 7.5 minutes
Looping would end. More games decided before shootout
Passionately hate shot clock. Almost as evil as the Pitch Clock
While we’re at it: Get rid of the God****** offsides review
Would take a new (real) Commissioner for that
5 against 5 for 5 minutes — with no goalies
I just don’t get why Mantha isn’t called upon for the shoot-outs… smh. Other than Kuzy, I don’t see anyone else better suited.
Also Mantha almost never plays in OT!