Plus: In a game that saw a lot of penalties through the first 40 minutes, the Caps’ PK held St. Louis scoreless for all 5 opportunities they faced.
Minus: The offense didn’t generate much at even strength, only mustering up 1.41 xG in 5 on 5 play.
Key Moment: With a 1-0 lead, a Hendrix Lapierre high-sticking double minor put the Caps on a 4 minute kill. Even if St. Louis would score shortly after it expired, killing all four of those minutes off set the tone for what was to come the rest of the night.
Caps Player of the Game: TJ Oshie gets this one, giving fans three chances to sing Country Roads on Country Music Night.
Final Thoughts: In a game featuring two of the weaker 5v5 offenses in the league thus far, special teams proved to be the difference; the Caps didn’t surrender anything on the penalty kill, and added two markers on their own opportunities. Oshie’s return and Pacioretty’s arrival, if nothing else, makes the Caps a lot more formidable on that end as we saw tonight.