The Capitals bounced back after a tough game (well, more like a tough first period) against the Vancouver Canucks and took it to a tired Seattle Kraken team winning 4-1.
The boys in red came out strong but were only able to score one goal in first period after a pretty passing play from Brandon Duhaime to John Carlson who faked a shot in the slot before sliding the puck down to Nic Dowd at the goal line for a tap in. It was the first fourth line goal of the season and it was a pretty one.
The Caps continued their domination into the second period scoring two quick goals. First from behind the net, Aliaksei Protas poked the puck into the slot where Ryan Leonard corralled the puck and ripped it glove side on Matt Murray. Shortly after, the Caps went on the power play, and Alexander Ovechkin sent over a beautiful cross ice pass to Jakob Chychrun, who cocked back and ripped a shot bar down for the Caps to take a 3-0 lead.
Protas nearly added another at the end of the second period but Murray came up big. It’s also worth noting the Caps hit the post three times, including a great curl-and-drag from Leonard who ripped a shot through the defensemen’s legs. The Caps could have had more.
The Kraken did end up striking the back of the net in the second period on the power play. The Caps’ penalty kill has struggled so far this season but Spencer Carbery noted that they have been a bit unlucky to start the year, and you could definitely put the Kraken goal in that category. A shot went wide, possibly tipped, off the back wall then right to Jaden Schwartz for a tap in goal on the far side. At some point those will stop going on the penalty kill… right?
The Kraken, who played the night before, actually played their best period in the third period. The Caps might have let up a little, which is never great, but they didn’t buckle, holding the Kraken to just one goal all game. Tom Wilson was able to pot an empty-netter to seal the game for the Caps.
Overall, it was a very strong game by the Caps who needed to take care of a tired team on home ice before they hit the road to play in Columbus, who always give the Caps a tough time.