The Capitals beat the Canes last night in Raleigh, winning 5-2 for their first win of the season. It was a drubbing, where the Caps were up 4-0 before Carolina finally got on the board. The Caps new additions looked good, their young players showed up big, and Logan Thompson was great in the net. It was a good win to start the season in a hostile environment against the defending Stanley Cup champions Hurricanes. It’s just one game and there are another 83 to go, but we couldn’t ask for a better way to start the year.
1. The Strome-Leonard-Ovechkin line looked really good
Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard showed some chemistry in the preseason while Alex Ovechkin was out with a lower body injury, and they showed it again last night. Last night, those three came to play. Leonard had a goal on 3 shots, Strome had two assists, and Ovi had an assist on Leonard’s goal. Leno’s tally made it 5-1 right after the Canes scored their first goal of the game. Those three guys only had about thirteen minutes of ice time but were still very effective. That line looks ready to make some noise this year.
2. Alex Tuch has arrived
The 2nd line of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex Tuch, and Tom Wilson looked a bit disjointed in the preseason. Not last night. Not only big and fast, those guys can bring it. Alex Tuch scored two goals, showing why the Caps were willing to make him the highest paid player on the team this year. All three collected at least a point and they capitalized on Carolina’s mistakes. Any fears that those three would need more time to adjust to each other can be put to rest.
3. Cole Hutson is for real
A lot has been written about the two rookies since they made their NHL debuts last spring. Caps’ head coach Spencer Carbery is hopeful that Hutson will fill the role as powerplay QB with after John Carlson was traded at the deadline last year. So far, so good. Hutson played well last night and had a goal last night and looks like the real deal. He skates like the wind has some serious skill. Seems like all that preseason rookie-of-the-year talk might be for good reason.
4. Logan Thompson was dialed in last night
Vegas has to be kicking themselves for trading Thompson two summers ago for 2nd and 3rd round picks. Sure, they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals this past summer, but Thompson could have changed the outcome of that series had they held onto him. Capitals’ general manager Chris Patrick has made some nice moves, but trading for the goalie may have been his best. Thompson has played great since the trade and was a runner up for the Vezina trophy last season. He should be in the conversation again this season.
5. The Power Play delivers
Jakob Chychrun scored Washington’s first power play goal of the season. The past few seasons, the Capitals’ power play has been pretty awful. They showed some improvement in the preseason and that carried over last night. They only had two opportunities with the extra man last night, but it’s a good sign that they were able to cash in.
The Caps play in Tampa tonight against their old friend John Carlson and the Bolts. We will see if they can build on their opening night win.
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