Last night’s game started off on a positive note, with Connor MicMichael firing off the first shot on goal, a tricky one that required a decent save from Connor Hellebuyck. After that, though, it was all downhill, as the Caps were dominated by the Jets in just about every way.
The Caps managed just five shots on goal in a first period that saw the Jets get 12 of their own, plus a goal courtesy of Neal Pionk. The second period was a slight improvement, with the Caps actually outshooting Winnipeg, but none of them were particularly dangerous scoring chances to test Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets were able to add to their lead with a goal from Alex Iafallo.
By the third period, the Caps had reverted back to first-period sluggishness, as the Jets continued to pile it on while limiting the Capitals chances, adding another goal and finishing the game with a 3-0 victory.
Three Takeaways:
- Overall team Play. The Jets were the stronger team throughout the game. Their cycle play kept the Capitals in their own zone. While the Capitals looked out of sync the entire game. Many missed passes, icings, and offsides.
- Lines. In the second game after the trade deadline, the team is looking for new line combos. The lines changed about midway through the second period, with Alex Ovechkin ending up on a line with Dylan Strome and Ivan Miroshnichenko. The trio had just under five minutes of playing time and two shots on goal. T.J. Oshie did get back in the lineup, which was a positive, but it also looked like the team missed Tom Wilson, who missed the game with an upper-body injury.
- Vibes. While much of the game was close once the Jets got the second goal it felt like a four-goal deficit. Between the way the Jets played and the out-of-sync play of the Capitals, it just didn’t feel like they were going to be able to come back.
They said it: