The Washington Capitals dropped their second game in a row, this time Saturday afternoon at home in their Hockey Fights Cancer game.
Despite taking a 1-0 lead early one goal was all they could muster for the second straight game. The high flying Washington Capitals offense we knew throughout much of the season has suddenly gone quiet.
With the loss the Capitals record drops to 16-4-5, granted however, they’ve been in overtime several times throughout the season. It was their 11th time in 25 games.
Jakub Vrana got the scoring started at 2:22 with a one-timer blast from Lars Eller from the left face-off circle for his 11th goal of the season to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.
More from Capitals News
- Breaking down the Rookie Camp roster
- Hear what Magic Johnson said about Alex Ovechkin
- Capitals announce Rookie Camp schedule
- Breaking down the 2023-24 Capitals national TV schedule
- Capitals Alumni Weekend is coming back
Vrana told NHL.com on the goal:
"“I was in that soft area, and as the third guy high I just wanted to be sure that I’m the first guy back. Then Lars won that battle (along the boards) and he gave me the puck.”"
The Vancouver Canucks came into this game fourth in the NHL in the power play and seized the opportunity after the Caps put themselves in a two man disadvantage with Chandler Stephenson going off for hooking Josh Leivo and Richard Panik for tripping Elias Pettersson.
Pettersson tied it on a one time shot from the right face-off zone with J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes.
1-1 would be the score through 60. The Caps and Canucks each had 33 shots on goal. Braden Holtby was spectacular and kept the Caps in the game with 32 saves.
"“Braden was outstanding I thought all game. Gives us a chance and right through the shootout gave us a chance. Tough to only get one point, but we’ll take it and move on.”"
In overtime the Caps killed a crucial penalty to keep the score square at one heading to a shootout. It lasted seven rounds and nobody scored the first six. The Caps tried with T.J. Oshie, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vrana, Lars Eller (who initially had a goal until under review the puck didn’t cross the line), and Dmitry Orlov all missed.
Bo Horvat would be the one to win it for Vancouver who gets payback after losing on their home ice in the shootout a month ago. In that contest the Caps trailed 5-1 before putting together their most memorable comeback of the season.
The Caps won’t be in action until Wednesday when they host Brett Connolly and the Florida Panthers. Those teams met a few weeks ago with the Capitals coming out on top in overtime 5-4 with a game-tying and game-winning goals coming from Tom Wilson. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.