Photo: Mel Evans
I got called into recap duty at about 12:50 as Peter was out buying a car with his girlfriend, who is a doctor and also his girlfriend. Both teams were equally groggy after Marty Brodeur’s ceremonial puck drop as the the Caps and Devils combined for just 12 shots in the first period.
In the second period, the Caps started tilting the ice in their favor. They got on the board in the middle of the frame when Evgeny Kuznetsov did the ol’ Evgeny Kuznetsov, with his behind the net pass deflecting off a Devils defender’s stick and then off off lil’ Andre Burakovsky’s knee.
The Devils tied it up early in the third when a questionable call on Mike Richards led to a net crashing power play tally for Joseph Blandisi. Adam Henrique gave the Devils the lead less than five minutes later as the trailing man on an odd-man break. Pay no mind though, because not Alexander Semin did what the real one never could: he scored a clutch goal. Paul Carey’s deflection from the slot was the his first career NHL marker and sent the game into a shootout.
Blandisi went wide.
TJ Oshie fired a laser beam.
Braden Holtby robbed a Swede.
Kuzy was stopped at the line.
“Reid Boucher” scored for the Devils.
And Alexander Mikhailovich “Alex” Ovechkin won the game for the Washington. Again. Caps beat Devils 3-2 (SO).
- Andre Burakovsky is flying. The dude had a 73 percent corsi at five-on-five. With Justin Williams’ goal eventually and correctly re-attributed to Burakovsky, Burra’s goal-scoring streak grows to five games. He’s now got 12 points in his last 9 games and should never leave the top six ever again please and thank you. Burakovsky is the eighth Capitals player to reach 10 goals.
- The rest of Burakovsky’s second linemates weren’t far behind. Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded his 37th assist of the season on Burakovsky’s goal, good for third in the league. Both Kuznetsov and Williams were also over 70 percent at even-strength. In fact, the whole team was good possession-wise. Just one player, Thrills (?) Chorney, was underwater. Of course, the Devils suck five-on-five.
- Meanwhile, Andre turns 21 on Tuesday. Who’s throwing the party at Nellie’s? He looks ready.
When you have 5 goals in your last 4 games pic.twitter.com/FWZcgndthE
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 6, 2016
- The Capitals power play is awful lately. They are now scoreless over their last 15 opportunities. I’ve been sick so I haven’t seen the last few games so I’m gonna blame Volkswagen. Peter reports their loyalty rebates and special 1.9 percent financing are mutually exclusive. Should have bought a Mazda.
- Here’s a picture of Paul Carey at a WWE show, from Carey’s own Instagram feed. We love him.
Isn’t having Alex Ovechkin on your team nice?
