The Washington Capitals played an interesting matchup with the Seattle Kraken on Sunday afternoon from Capital One Arena and before their Califorinia road trip took care of home ice to the tune of a 4-2 win.
In a topsy turvy game, Connor McMichael's late goal was the difference and Alex Ovechkin got point number 1,600
Shane Wright got things going with the Kraken at 12:37 for his 15th goal of the season. Shots after the first period were 14-7 in favor of Seattle. In the second period the Caps began to turn it on.
Martin Fehervary got a goal 35 seconds in for his fourth of the season. Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael had the assists for their 30th and 27th, respectively.
Dylan Strome, in his 500th game, would then hit the back of the net at 2:51 for his 19th goal of the season to put the Caps ahead 2-1. Rasmus Sandin and John Carlson were credited with the assists with their 20th and 37th.
Jordan Eberle responded at 7:23 to knot the score at two after two for his seventh of the season. 9-6 Seattle was the shot total in the second period. In the third the Caps took the lead in the best way possible.
Following a line brawl that put 10 guys in the penalty box, the Caps took a late lead with McMichael's 23rd of the season. That came at 15:44. Carlson had the helper for his 38th assist while Jakob Chychrun had the secondary assist for his 23rd.
At 18:31 with the Caps shorthanded, the Kraken pulled their goalie and Alex Ovechkin put the game away. Who else? It was his 33rd of the season and 886th of his career along with his 1,600th career point. He is nine away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for the most goals in NHL history.
Tom Wilson and Nic Dowd had the helpers with their 23rd and 11th respectively. Caps had the edge in shots on goal in the third 11-9 but the Kraken had the edge in shots overall 32-24. Despite this, Charles Lindgren, Charlie, or Chuck, whatever you preference to call him, got the win in net with 30 saves.
Washington had the edge in face off percentage 55.9 percent to 44.1 percent. The power play went 0 for 1 while the Kraken's power play was held to 0 for 4 on the afternoon. Caps edged the Kraken in blocked shots 21-9.
Next up for the Caps is a California road trip. First stop is the Anaheim Ducks at 10 p.m. eastern which you can catch on Monumental Sports Network as well as 106.7 The Fan and Caps Radio 24/7.