After two straight games where the Caps gave up the first goal – and proceeded to lose by a large margin – it seemed important for them to get off to a stronger start last night against the visiting Leafs. Thanks to Justin Sourdif and Aliaksei Protas, they did just that, getting the Caps on the board with the eventual game-winning goal just a little over 14 minutes into the first period.
The play that led to the goal was representative of what the Caps would be able to do all night (and showed how much the Leafs were really never in this one. First, they set up their attack in the offensive zone, with the forwards working the boards and winning the puck battles. Sourdif won the most important one, sending the puck out to John Carlson at the blueline before making his way toward the Toronto net.
Carlson’s shot attempt was blocked on the way but the rebound was corralled by Sourdif, who was able to draw Leafs’ goalie Dennis Hildeby out of position and then made an incredibly smart move to tuck the puck under Hildeby’s leg to the slot – where big Protas was lurking. Despite being tangled up with two Toronto defenders, Protas was able to poke the puck into what was at this point basically an empty net, and the Caps were up 1-0.
Just a great, intelligent play all around – particularly by Sourdif, who had an excellent game for himself – to put the Caps on top. That would be the story of the evening in what was a kind of boring game in the best possible way. Caps establish zone time, win battles, score goals. Lather, rinse, repeat en route to a 4-0 win.
Next up, a home-and-home matinee set this weekend against the Red Wings.