Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals needed to have a strong week in order to ensure themselves of their eighth playoff birth in nine seasons. The Washington Capitals earned seven out of eight possible points to ensure themselves of that playoff birth. Let’s take a look at last week and how the Washington Capitals did.
Washington Capitals Vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Washington Capitals beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. The Capitals got the game started off right with a Mike Green goal just 2:46 into the game. The records started falling this week 11 minutes and 12 seconds into the game, as Alex Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season, ensuring himself of his sixth 50+ goal season. He became just the sixth player to accomplish that feat. He also tied Peter Bondra‘s franchise record for goals scored.
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The second period didn’t start well for the Washington Capitals, as two defensive breakdowns allowed the Hurricanes to tie the game at two. That served as a wakeup call for the Caps as they got goals from Brooks Laich and Joel Ward a little more than one minute apart to end the scoring for the evening.
The third period was quite boring, but I wouldn’t be too worried about that. The Washington Capitals got shot attempts off, they just didn’t hit the net. Plus, they did an outstanding job of suppressing scoring chances against. Neither team really wanted to play the third period, and it showed. The Canes were in the midst of yet another loss and the Caps were clearly looking ahead to Thursday’s matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
Washington Capitals Vs. Montreal Canadiens
This was the beginning of a huge three game road trip for the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens scored first, but the Capitals answered with a goal by Ward, who had a really nice week for the Caps. Bondra’s goal record was passed on to Ovechkin with a second period goal by the great eight to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead. However, the Canadiens quickly scored a goal to tie the game at 2.
The Canadiens would take the lead with under two minutes remaining in the second period. The Washington Capitals were able to tie it up at three thanks to Ovechkin’s second goal of the evening on a power play. The Caps got another power play shortly thereafter and 73 seconds later, Ward scored his second goal of the evening to give the Caps a 4-3 lead.
The Capitals became of a victim of some questionable refereeing as Curtis Glencross would get called for goalie interference despite being checked into Montreal goalie Carey Price. The Habs were able to convert on the ensuing power play to tie the game at four. The game went to overtime, but that wasn’t enough. This game went to a shootout.
The first seven skaters couldn’t score in the shootout. The game winning goal (and only goal of the shootout) was eventually scored by the eighth skater in the shootout Troy Brouwer.
Washington Capitals Vs. Ottawa Senators
The Washington Capitals were not able to get two points in Ottawa, but they were able to get a very valuable point by taking the game to overtime. The point is even more valuable when you consider how horrible the first period was for the Washington Capitals. The Senators, thanks to three power plays, were able to score three very quick goals. The Capitals found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 game at the end of 20 minutes.
The Washington Capitals didn’t give up though, as they got a second period goal from Marcus Johansson to cut the deficit to two. The Washington Capitals got a third period goal from Green to cut the deficit to one. Once again, Brouwer played the hero, as he tied up the game at three.
However, in overtime, John Carlson was a bit overaggressive in going for a puck, which allowed the Senators to score the game winning goal on a breakaway. The Washington Capitals would have to wait an extra day in order to clinch a playoff birth.
Washington Capitals Vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Washington Capitals came into Detroit needing a win in order to do their part in clinching a playoff birth. The Caps got early goals from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Green. That’s all the Caps would need, as Braden Holtby was on top of his game, allowing just one goal. Holtby got his 40th win of the season, becoming just the second goaltender in Washington Capitals team history to achieve that mark. He also became the quickest Capitals goaltender ever to get to 100 career wins.
Weekly Grade
I’d give this week an A-. The Washington Capitals needed to have a strong week, and they got one. They clinched a playoff birth. The only way that they could have done better is if they had won Saturday’s game.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments!
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