Grading Capitals offense against Flames
The Washington Capitals got their first win of the season behind a strong second and third period as well as coming up big in the shootout. It gave them their first win in the Spencer Carbery era. We’ll be breaking down more on this game throughout the day.
First up lets grade the offense for their performance. Once again the Caps got off to a slow start. Unlike the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins where they came out flying in the first 10 minutes, the Caps looked lost in that first period.
The Calgary Flames went up 2-0 and outshot the Caps 18-3 in the opening 20 minutes. That’s a big ouch.
In the second period they got two big goals. Welcome to the NHL, Matthew Phillips. That’s right the kid got his first NHL goal against the former organization that drafted him. That play came off a brilliant set up from Sonny Milano.
Just over three minutes later Connor McMichael tied things up. His shot came right up the middle and it was huge for someone who didn’t play much in the NHL, if at all last season. We all know why. That problem is now in New York.
The Caps were outshot 13-9 in the second period but in the third they put the pressure on. They narrowly outshot the Flames 10-8. Shots were even at one apiece in overtime. Alex Ovechkin could’ve ended it but he took too long to actually do something with the puck.
The game required a shootout. The Caps only got one goal and it came from the human highlight reel Evgeny Kuznetsov. Darcy Kuemper made the saves necessary and the Caps came away with the victory.
light. Related Story. Capitals edge Flames in shootout for Spencer Carbery’s first win
Grade B-: I can’t give the offense an A. They get a B- due in part to that slow start in the first period where they were outshot 18-3. Still, that’s above average and definitely something to improve on.