Photo: Maddie Meyer
Ah, where were we? Yes, hockey! It’s like ballet on ice. You get the idea. Facing off against the Montreal Canadiens in their first game since Monday, the Washington Capitals got the jump early, showing no ill effects — but maybe a slight tan — from their Christmas break.
They pressed Habs netminder Mike Condon — minding the cage because Carey Price is out with a Michal Neuvirth — early, converting 6:45 into the game when Evgeny Kuznetsov redirected Nate “Heart Eyes Emoji” Schmidt’s slapper from the high slot.
In the second, the Caps jumped back on the board when Jay Beagle fired a rifle from the near circle on a three-on-four after an excellent setup by Tom Wilson. Montreal cut the lead in half on the next shift, as Washington’s second line repeated failed to clear the defensive zone. Eventually, Daniel Carr popped in the rebound off Andrei Markov’s wrister from the faceoff dot. The Caps continued to shower Condon in pucks, but the Canadiens reserve netminder held strong as Washington took a one goal lead into the final 20.
In the third, Jason Chimera picked up a loose puck, shot forehand, and flew one-legged toward victory. Caps top Habs 3-1!
Putting the Caps on the power play multiple times per period is a great strategy by a slumping Montreal team.
— RMNB (@rmnb) December 27, 2015
- That actually worked. Washington’s PP has looked great lately, scoring thrice against Tampa, twice against New York, and nearly breaking through against Carolina. Tonight, it was as graceful as an EPIX Road to the Winter Classic monologue.
- Tom Wilson got into a fight while the other dude’s dad watched. Absurd. He also led all skaters in hits in the first period (2). Who needs Brooks Orpik?
- Overheard: “F—cking humanity, man! Brutal! Smashing each other’s brains out like two peacocks.”
- Wilson, however, did some hockey nice when he got back on the ice, setting up Jay Beagle‘s goal with a magisterial drop pass while also assisting on Chimera’s insurance marker.
- Speaking of Beagle, he has five goals in 34 games. I was disappointed that Santa didn’t bring me a Beagle goal puck for Christmas, but the man whose name is a breed of dog continues to produce more NHL authenticated memorabilia. Tonight’s tally was a masterpiece. Through two periods, Beagle lead the team in five-on-five scoring changes, shot attempts, and shots on goal.
- The Capitals are 20-0-5 when Beagle scores a goal. Does that mean anything? No!
- Something weird has happened to Jason Chimera in the last couple of months. In his 34th game this season, Chimmer notched his 19th and 20th points. It took him 77 games to reach 19 last year. He led the team in shots on goal and even-strength shot attempt differential (well, until like the last five minutes). On just December 26, Chimera is halfway to a twenty goal season.
- Meanwhile, Pat unearthed this wild stat.
Jason Chimera, your P/60 leader among all forwards on the PP, minimum 35 minutes. from War on Ice. pic.twitter.com/kLBgLz37kl
— pfholden.bsky.social (@pfholden) December 27, 2015
- With his two assists, Nate Schmidt set a career high in assists and tied his career high in points.
- The Capitals win a bunch of games. Don’t believe me? Ya boy Pace Sagester with Caps PR has you covered. Washington has earned a point in 15 of its last 16 games. They have two winning streaks of six or more for the first time since 2010-11. Finally, they haven’t posted a regulation loss against a Canadian team in 12 games against boys from the Great White North this season.
The Capitals have been winning ugly lately, which eventually leads to losing. Tonight, however, Washington was sublime, as they set up a forward operating base right in front of Mike Condon and refused to leave the offensive zone. The Capitals didn’t need Braden Holtby to bail them out this time, they just played great hockey. Seven straight wins for the boys in the retro red. They still have the best record in the NHL.
