Alex Ovechkin’s last Capitals home opener at Capital One Center was last night. Against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins to boot! The Caps won 5-3 as Tom Wilson scored 3 points, Ryan Leonard scored for the second time this season, and the Caps penalty kill continued its domination. The 2nd line of Tom Wilson, Alex Tuch and Pierre-Luc Dubois was dominant. While the Capitals’ captain still has yet to score a point this year, the Caps look like a team the league is going to have a tough time against.
The line of Tuch (a goal), Dubois (a goal and an assist) and Wilson (a goal and 2 assists) is performing really well. Not only are they huge in stature, but the trio is hard to defend. There are not many lines in hockey that are that big, that fast, with that much scoring power while also being able to play against other teams’ top players. The Caps’ next opponent, the Rangers, can’t be looking forward to playing in Capital One Center on Friday.
Ovi was on the ice when Dylan Strome hit a streaking Anthony Beauvillier who scored the first goal of the game just 23 seconds into the first period. Ovi didn’t register a point, but those will come. However, the days of Ovi being the focal point of the offense are over. But a 41 year-old hockey player shouldn’t be the best player on his team in his 22nd season. So, it’s not a bad thing.
The Caps are so deep at forward that Ryan Leonard played on the “4th” line with Justin Sourdif and Boone Jenner. I’ve said it before and I'll say it again, but those guys would be at least a 3rd line on most other teams. There really isn't a traditional 4th line on the team. That makes the Caps very deep and hard to match up against.
The Caps went 1 for 4 with the extra man, which isn’t bad but could be better. Leonard scored their lone power play goal in the 3rd period, a sign that the long-dormant Capitals power play might be showing some life. The Caps will need the power play units clicking this season if they are to make any sort of run in the playoffs.
The Pens went 0 for 3 on the power play, as the Caps’ penalty killers blanked their opponent on the man advantage once again. After three games, the Capitals PK is operating at 91.7%, according to Stat Muse. Alex Tuch can score, but he also is one of the best penalty killers in the game today, and the Caps are better for it. That unit may be what could put the Caps over the top this season if they can maintain their dominance.
Add us as a preferred source on Google