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The Caps’ swing through Western Canada continued with a visit to Vancouver, where they’d need to outmaneuver formidable foes in the Sedin twins and Ryan Miller to keep the winning streak alive. Thanks to some offense from the team’s grinders – and some late-game heroics from the captain – the Caps took two points from the Canucks in Vancouver for the first time in over a decade.
Here’s Thursday night’s Plus/Minus:
- Plus: After giving up two unanswered goals in the second period, the Capitals needed to come out flying in the third – and they did just that, with a couple of goals of their own (including a late goal by Alex Ovechkin that proved to be the game-winner).
- Minus: Perhaps it was the time change, or the travel, or just an off night, but the Caps looked a bit sluggish at times, particularly early on. The first period was over eight minutes old before they registered a single shot attempt, and a few lazy penalties in the second period almost cost them.
Ten more thoughts on the game:
- The last time the Capitals won in Vancouver was Feb. 14, 2001. Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me” was one of the top five songs of the week in America during that time. The top song of today is “The Hills” by The Weeknd.
- From 6:45 into the first period to 15:10, the Capitals didn’t record a single shot attempt. They finally broke their dry spell with Jason Chimera’s goal.
- That was Chimera’s third goal of the year. He had seven goals in 77 games just last season. Think he finishes with more this year? Remember, he’s the only Caps forward set to become an unrestricted free agent next year.
- The Capitals surrendered a silly goal four minutes into the second. Brooks Orpik had an opportunity to muscle Henrik Sedin off of the puck. He didn’t. He fell down instead. That’s five goals against at even strength in six games for Orpik.
- The penalty kill was on point early in the second. After a Chimera penalty in the second period, the Caps rattled off several shot attempts, including some odd-man rushes with T.J. Oshie and Brooks Laich…
- …but then a short while later, Karl Alzner entered the box. Those evil Sedin twins moved the puck, tricked Holtby and squeezed one by him for the go-ahead goal.
- Dmitry Orlov had an incredibly pass to spring Andre Burakovsky on a small break late in the second period. He’s proven he can move the puck, and we know he has an incredible shot. He had just five seconds of power play time tonight. Could he handle the point on the second power play unit? Just imagine Ovechkin dishing one-timers for the left-handed Orlov….
- Is it too early to say Justin Williams is a bit snake bitten? He’s been dominant along the boards, has served up some crucial assists, but is scoreless in his first six games as a Cap. Andre Burakovsky set him up for a beautiful one-timer on the power play at the beginning of the third period, but Williams whiffed on it. Bummer, but you know he’s so close to netting that first one.
- Over the course of his career, Tom Wilson has averaged a fight every 5.7 games. Through the first six, Wilson hasn’t dropped the gloves once. He had stated he would pick and choose his fights, but it’s refreshing to see he doesn’t feel the need to drop the gloves as often as he has in the past. Especially since there’s no one on the roster, outside of Michael Latta, who has been scratched in the last three games, that consistently fights.
- That’s five straight for Alex Ovechkin. Unbelievable.
Ovechkin scores his 5th in as many games #CapsNucks pic.twitter.com/YvdzNO1Rkk
— CAPITALS HILL (@CapitalsHill) October 23, 2015
Game highlights: