Gamecenter — Natural Stat Trick
Looking to bounce back from a disappointing finish — and an emotional milestone moment for their captain Alex Ovechkin — in Newark Saturday afternoon, the Washington Capitals got set for another emotional game as they faced the rival Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday back in DC.
For once, a slow start wasn’t in the cards, with Jakub Vrana driving the net to get the Caps on the board first. By the end of the second period, however, things had gone sideways, upside-down and into a weird sci-fi disastrous 12th dimension for the Capitals. Two goals in just 26 seconds by the Penguins had them in a 2-1 hole after 40, the go-ahead goal scored by the District’s favorite villain, Sidney Crosby.
But the Caps had their own “villain” to use in response: Tom Wilson. Whip’s four-on-four mini breakaway tied the game early in the final frame, helping change the momentum. Goals from T.J. “Pens-killer” Oshie and Carl Hagelin put the Caps back on top, and Holtby’s strong play led the way to a massive two points.
Plus: The penalty kill was excellent today against a rejuvenated Penguins’ power play, backstopped by Braden Holtby (who is undergoing his recent renaissance, with another strong game).
Minus: Radko Gudas, Michal Kempny and Brendan Leipsic five minutes into the second period. None of them could beat Patric Hornqvist for the puck near the blue line; Hornqvist then fed the puck to a teammate, drove to the net and tapped in what was then the game-tying goal.
And now, this:
There was a goosebump-inducing moment during the Capitals traditional military salute when they honored a veteran who is anything but traditional: retired Marine Corporal Woody Willams, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Pacific Theater of World War II.
More notes on the game:
Look at that. The Capitals are on top of the Metropolitan Division again. They beat their biggest rival. We can all calm down for a bit.