The Washington Capitals overcame a 2-1 deficit and remained calm when the New York Islanders put a scare on them. They prevailed 4-3 in the shootout thanks to some heroics from Anthony Mantha, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby’s first NHL goal as well as some history for the great eight.
Mantha would put the Caps up 1-0 at 12:21 for his fourth goal of the season. It came on a deflection in front of the net assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Conor Sheary. 1-0 was the score after one with the Islanders leading in shots 11-9.
The Islanders would take the lead in the second period. First it was Brock Nelson at 4:55 to get them on the board. Then Kyle Palmieri gave them the lead at 17:02. 2-1 Islanders was the score after 40 with the Isles leading in shots 10-7 in the second.
At 10:13 in the third the Caps tied it as Dmitry Orlov set up Jonsson-Fjallby for his first career NHL goal. He naturally got pied in the face at his postgame press conference, a tradition the Caps like to do when someone scores their first career goal.
After fans unleashed the fury it would be Alex Ovechkin’s historic marker that would give the Caps the lead. It came at 15:02 off a face off draw won by Kuznetsov. It was adjacent to the office but Ovechkin can score on any side he wants. It was career number 767 to bypass Jaromir Jagr for third place on the NHL’s all time goal scoring list.
Now only Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky are in his sight.
Anders Lee forced overtime with a late goal at 18:01 to interrupt the party just a little. Things resumed when overtime was scoreless and the game was decided in the shootout. The Islanders led in shots 10-9 in the third while the Caps led 7-1 in overtime shots. Shots were even at 32 apiece as the game went to the skills challenge.
Kuznetsov got stopped while Anthony Beauvillier got stopped on the other end. Niclas Backstrom missed while Vitek Vanecek stopped Oliver Wahlstrom. T.J. Oshie and Palmeiri kept the game going.
Then Daniel Sprong got stopped while Mathew Barzal missed. Ovechkin and Josh Bailey got stopped . Noah Dobson got stopped while Trevor Van Riemsdyk missed. Then Nelson missed before Mantha would end it to send the Caps fans home happy.
The Caps will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, both on the road.