While some of the league’s best players were on the ice, playing hard and injuring themselves to represent their home countries in the 4 Nations Faceoff, the Washington Capitals–every one of them– were resting. Fans were initially disappointed that prolific players like Logan Thompson, Dylan Strome, and John Carlson had been snubbed from the competition. However, the Washington Capitals proved, in showstopping fashion, that rest was exactly what they needed to push themselves a step above the rest after the 4 Nations break.
The Capitals returned from break facing a back-to-back matinee weekend. The Washington Capitals are notoriously at their weakest during matinee play, so the results of the team’s return from the break were uncertain. However, the Capitals quickly proved that, although they should have been represented in the 4 Nations Faceoff, rest was exactly what they needed to come out of the gate hot and continue their stellar season. They put up 15 points over the course of the weekend and saw a whole-team effort that was quite the show.
Capitals at Penguins
The Washington Capitals faced their biggest rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Penguins’ home arena on Saturday, and they were not going to let it get the best of them. The game started out evenly matched, with both teams scoring one in the first period. However, the Capitals kicked it up a notch in the second period, scoring 5 goals for the third time this season. The dominant offense was a collective effort–Jakob Chychrun gave the Penguins a run for their money, scoring back-to-back goals less than five minutes apart. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Martin Fehervary also each showcased a multi-point period, with the latter scoring his second goal of the season. After a goal from Sidney Crosby, the Penguins let four Capitals goals go unanswered. The boys in red were dominant, controlling the puck a majority of the time, keeping their play disciplined, and using physicality to their advantage. Washington blocked 23 shots and clocked 21 hits, two major factors in keeping the Penguins at bay.
Tom Wilson’s goal was his 25th of the season, a career record for the forward. Dylan Strome extended his point streak to a career-high seven games, capitalizing on a power play. He was once again assisted by Pierre-Luc Dubois, who also completed a seven-game point streak. Brandon Duhaime finished off the dominant 8-3 win for the team. Their power on the ice was evident- and it wouldn’t stop on Saturday.
Capitals vs. Oilers
The Washington Capitals returned home on Sunday to face the visiting Edmonton Oilers. With high-scoring and skilled players like Connor McMichael, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers can be a force to be reckoned with- but so can the Capitals. Heavy hitters Tom Wilson and Jakob Chychrun were not going to let the Oilers’ opening goal best them; both scored in the last three minutes of the first period, sending their team to the locker room with a 2-1 lead. Chychrun’s goal came on a power play, one of Washington’s strengths during this game. The Capitals also capitalized on their second power play of the game, when Alex Ovechkin notched the second of back-to-back goals. With Connor McMichael’s goal coming at the tail end of the second frame, the Capitals showcased another dominant second period over their rival. Entering the third period down 5-1, the Oilers would have to make a significant comeback to keep themselves in the game. Their efforts were, of course, not enough, as Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin responded to both Oilers’ goals in the final period. His empty-netter sent hats flying with his 32nd career hat trick and 882nd goal.
Once again, it was a collective effort on the part of the Capitals- Strome, Wilson, Chychrun, Carlson, and Protas all had multi-point games in addition to their captain. The home team was even more dominant in this game than they were against the Penguins. They registered an additional 10 shots on goal versus their counterparts (35 to 25) and won the faceoff 55% of the time. Charlie Lindgren stopped 88% of the Oilers’ shots on goal, while the Oilers’ Calvin Pickard stopped just 80%.
Washington has been hot for the majority of the season, but they are particularly hot at home, boasting an 11-0-5 record in their past 16 home games. They look to extend that home win streak as the St. Louis Blues visit Capital One Arena on Thursday.
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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