The Caps finally got back in the win column with a decisive 6-1 win over the Blues. After a strong first period that included a dominant shift leading to a power play goal (!!), the Caps were in charge the rest of the game. But it was the their second goal, the game-winning goal, that is really fueled the victory.
Early in the second period, with a 1-0 lead, Anthony Beauvillier dumped the puck in behind the Blue net. Goalie (and jackass) Jordan Binnington handled the puck and tried to play it up the left wing. Luckily Alex Ovechkin was there and knocked the puck out of the air with his stick. He was able gather the puck and try pass it to Matt Roy cutting to the slot. The puck goes through him right to Jakob Chychrun in the upper slot who ripped the puck wide off the backboards to the lower left circle. Ovechkin was there an able to turn on his backhand and flip it on the net. It wasn’t the usual wrister or slapper we’re used to but it counted all the less.
The best part of the goofy goal for Ovechkin was not that it was the goal that started the Caps four-goal second period or that it was the game-winning goal, but that it was a historic goal, Ovechkin’s 900th – the first player in NHL history to cross into the 900s. We are truly blessed to witness him game in and game out.
The Caps poured it on after that goal, scoring four more in total, including a couple from Beauvillier, a ripper from John Carlson, and another from Wilson. Ovechkin’s goal really started it off for everyone and the Caps never let go.
The Caps don’t get to rest on their laurels, though, as they now hit the road to take on their rivals, the Penguins, tonight in Pittsburgh. They may not need the history-making, but they’ll need a repeat of last night’s effort to take the win.