Plus: It was great to get Sonny Milano back in the lineup after about two months of being out. He looked like his usual reliable self and even potted a goal.
Minus: As usual, as soon as the Caps think they are healthy they lose someone. Martin Fehervary lasted only a couple minutes before leaving with a lower-body injury. This team can’t stay healthy for a game.
Key Moment: John Carlson saved a goal with less than a second left in the game with Montreal’s goalie pulled and the Caps on the power play. Without that save, this game was going to overtime and leaving open the potential for a loss…instead they walked away with a win.
Caps Player of the Game: Anthony Mantha had a very good game with a goal and a pretty secondary assist. He was hustling, using his body, utilizing his skill and putting up points. It’s awesome to see him finally putting it together for the Caps though he might not be on the team for much longer.
Final Thoughts: The new power play look for the Caps, with Ovechkin moving from his office to the point, is really looking good. It’s starting to throw teams up and Caps are able to whip the puck around a lot more quickly. These were the kind of changes fans wanted to see much earlier in the season, but it’s better late than never.
The Caps have really been playing well lately and that continued tonight. It’s a shame they couldn’t have played like this through out the season, as now might be too late, but it’s a good sign for things to come under Spencer Carbery.