Capitals vs. Maple Leafs Recap: Gustafsson’s Gotcha in Washington Win

Facing off for Hockey Night in Canada the Capitals upset former friend Ilya Samsonov and the Maple Leafs 5 to 2 in Washington.

Here’s Saturday night’s Plus/Minus:

• Plus: An Erik Gustafsson hat trick.
• Minus: Any Auston Matthews goal.

More notes on the game:

• Midway through the first frame Gustafsson got the Capitals on the scoreboard first. Sonny Milano and John Carlson picked up assists on the scoring play.
• But two minutes later hometown kid William Nylander knotted the score at one. A Swede shot from just outside the slot was all it took to tie the game.
• Trevor van Riemsdyk responded before intermission with his fourth of the season. A knuckle puck from forty feet eluded Ilya Samsonov and put the Capitals ahead again.
• Early in the second period Gustafsson tallied again. More good work from Milano eventually put the puck on Gustafsson’s stick and he finished the opportunity.
• Four minutes later Matthews drew the Maple Leafs within one once again. A quick shot from distance eluded Charlie Lindgren - and Matthews celebrated accordingly.
• Ten seconds into the third period Garnet Hathaway tallied an insurance goal. Picking up a loose puck in the slot Hathaway snapped his shot home, beating Samsonov cleanly.
• And at 43:47 Gustafsson completed his hat trick (also the first three goals of his season). Aliaksei Protas registered his fourth assist of the season on the play.