When the schedule came out it looked like it would be tough for the Washington Capitals right out the gates.
Instead, they took care of business on the road in their first two games. Friday night saw the Washington Capitals crash another party although it wasn’t as grand as raising a Stanley Cup banner.
Even so, anytime you face a former coach it presents a challenge and in the second game of the season the Caps faced their old bench boss Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders.
The Capitals came out of New York and their two game road trip with a 2-1 win and now head back to D.C. where their eager fans are awaiting to greet them home.
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Jakub Vrana got the Caps on the scoresheet early with a goal at 10:25 in the first period. After Radko Gudas turned over the puck, Lars Eller retrieved it near the boards and sprung the puck up-ice to a charging, speedy, Vrana. Vrana entered the zone flying and flung a quick snipe just through the glove side of Semyon Varlamov.
Ilya Samsonov made his NHL debut in goal Friday night, something many fans as well as the team themselves have highly anticipated. He stood tall early and often but there was just one blemish.
The goal the Islanders scored to tie the game was a weird one. Devon Toews‘ shot went off not one, not two but three Caps players including Garnet Hathaway and Gudas.
There was just three penalties the whole game and they all came in the second period. The Capitals and Islanders each killed off their first penalties they faced. Washington got awarded a power play at 16:48 when Brock Nelson was called for hooking Jonas Siegenthaler.
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On the power play attack, T.J. Oshie punched in a rebound off a shot from John Carlson at 17:43 to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead. Carlson’s shot was actually blocked but Carlson was there to pounce on the loose puck.
Ilya Samsonov stood tall in his NHL debut and looked nothing like a rookie. Samsonov made 25 saves for a .962 save percentage. After the game, the 2015 first rounder received the Nationals batting helmet from his teammates. During his postgame interview, he got pied in the face by the infamous shaving cream.
Tonight the Capitals are back at it but this time before a home crowd for the first time this season. It’s a first round rematch between the Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes and if the preseason finale was any indication, expect a lot of fireworks.