Capitals Dump and Chase: 5 things from the Seattle loss

Ovechkin Scores Goal 930

The Caps fell to the Kraken Sunday night 5-3, but at least Alex Ovechkin finally got on the board. Ovi scored his first goal of the year in the 2nd period to put the Caps up 2-1. It took four games, but he looked like Ovi last night. A four-game goalless streak isn't anywhere near the longest dry spell of his career, 14 games back in December 2023. He ended the 2023-24 season with 31 goals. I think everyone would be more than happy to watch Ovi score another 30-plus goal this season. Ovechkin also had 3 shots on goal, 3 hits, and played 16:56 minutes. He looked good Sunday night. Everyone can relax now and enjoy hockey for the rest of the season.

Line Combo Changes

Coach Carbs mixed up the lines last night to varying degrees of success. Yes, the Caps coughed up the lead and lost the game, but the trio of Ovi, Ilya and Aliaksei Protas played well. Both Protases (Protai?) assisted on Ovi’s first goal of the season. It was Ovechkin's 930th career goal and marked the first time two brothers had assisted on one of his goals. Ilya has played okay so far this year, but the Capitals need the young center to produce. He was on the ice the other night against the Rangers when Ryan Leonard scored a power play goal. Hopefully, this new line combination of the Great 8 and the Protas boys can get the rookie and the captain going.

Welcome to Washington Jordan Kyrou!

Jordan Kyrou scored his first goal as a Capital on some nice passing by Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard. Kyrou was wide open with an empty net and dented the twine on a perfect crosss-ice pass from Hutson. It is nice to see all of the Caps additions from the summer scoring points and playing well. Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner have gotten off to strong starts, so if Kyrou keeps playing like he did against the Kraken, Capitals general manager Chris Patrick is going to look like a genius.  

Rookie Hutson the Real Deal

I am shocked that the Caps were able to draft Cole Hutson in the 2nd round in 2024. He seems unfazed after 19 games in the league. The kid can skate, shoot, and his stick handling is eye-poppingly good. I have to admit that when he first came up last year I thought he was too small. I doubted whether or not he was really 5’11”.  But then I remembered that everyone else on the Capitals’ roster are freaking giants, so maybe Hutson isn’t as small as he looks. (Anyone would look small next to 6’6” Ilya Protas.) He certainly doesn’t play small. His pass to set up Kyrou’s goal was about as perfect as it gets.

Jenner unassisted...again!

The Caps “Fourth Line” of Jenner, Leonard, and Sourdif have played well together, too. Jenner scored his second goal unassisted goal in as many nights. Caps fans are starting to see what everyone in Columbus already knew, that Boone is a gamer and a monster on the forecheck. Sunday night, he intercepted a pass at the blueline in the Kraken zone and shot. Kraken goalie Joey Daccord made the initial save, but Jenner gobbled up his own rebound and buried it, tying the game 3-3. He did a similiar thing against the Rangers Friday night. Booner, Leno, and Sourdif are a feisty, high-energy line, with three guys who are fast and physical. Looks like they might score some points as well, unless Jenner wants to keep scoring off of turnovers unassisted. I think we all would be happy to see that a few more times this season.  

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