In a game that Tom Wilson called a must-win, the Caps came out and took two points from the Red Wings that they desperately needed. It started out rough with the Wings scoring on a very early power play, but the hockey gods were looking after them because the goal was called back for being offside. After that, the Caps took over and stayed strong on the pursuit to get the win. The hockey gods tried to steal the game from the Caps with two last minute lucky goals for Detroit but Caps prevailed in the shootout.
Plus: Maybe the obvious, but the Caps getting a win was huge. They are on the brink of missing the playoffs and they needed the win to stay in the race. They could have given up after Detroit’s two lucky goals but they stuck with it and won.
Minus: Overall, considering how shorthanded they were, there wasn’t much to complain about for the Caps. Perhaps too many shots against that need to be blocked by bodies or sticks, but it didn’t really cost the Caps. Also hate to see another goalie go down with an injury late…
Caps Player of the Game: Nic Dowd really set the tone early for the Caps. He scored the first goal of the game after a monster hit, played physical and hard on the puck all night, then scored the shootout winner. It’s what we all expected (right?) and what the Caps needed.