The Washington Capitals are back in a playoff spot and control their own fate with two games remaining. This is exactly where you want to be. In the driver's seat. Win and in baby. They got it with a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lighntning.
Sonny Milano backhanded a shot in at 9:56 to put the Caps up early. The goal was assisted by Max Pacioretty who was suiting up for his 900th NHL game as well as Hendrix Lapierre, who has a bit to go to reach that one.
Anthony Duclair tied it at 13:06. At the 14 minute mark it was Milano again for his career high 15th goal of the season. Brandon Hagel tied it back up at 16:24.
The goals weren't even the highlight of the first period as Nick Jensen took a hit along the boards by Michael Eyssimont that cuased the latter to receive boos from the crowd the reaminder of the night. But if you ask any Caps fan in attandance they'll tell you it was warranted.
The hit was to the point that Jensen left the game on a stretcher. But the defenseman walked out of Capital One Arena with his family at the end of the night per coach Spencer Carbery to reporters after the game.
Nobody scored in the second period but in the third John Carlson scored a historic power play goal to put the Caps in front at 8:29. It was his ninth goal of the season and now he leads ALL CAPS no pun intended defensemen in goals scored in franchise history. Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson assisted there.
Nic Dowd put the game away with his 11th goal of the year at 16:46. Beck Malenstyn and Trevor van Riemsdyk had the helpers. Dowd I thought was the unsung hero of the night. He was all over the place and was very noticible especially sticking up for Jensen, the two are close like brothers.
The first period ended early thanks to the delay. Well actually it just got added onto the second period while players cleared the ice for internmission in an awkward break in action. But when things were back, Dowd was there to throw the punches and the hits. Dowd finished with eight hits and wrecked Eyssimont.
The Caps will hold a fan apprication practice at 11 a.m. at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington on Sunday morning. On Monday night is the final home game of the regular season against the Boston Bruins. Where things stand the Caps gotta win out. Tuesday night in Philly is Game 82.