The Capitals started sloppy against the Montreal Canadiens, but after a successful offside goal review by Barry Trotz, the Capitals found their sea legs.
“Any time you can get a goal back off the board that’s huge,” Tom Wilson said at intermission. “We got a great staff – Stretch and Timmy in there that got on the microphone. Barry and the coaching staff did the rest.”
First-line forwards Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom then led the way. Wilson had two goals and Backstrom had three assists in a dominant first period that saw the team go into the first intermission with a 3-1 lead.
Tom Wilson’s first goal
So much room for activities @tom_wilso #CapsHabs #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/nceBNCBkMD
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 24, 2018
After Trotz’s challenge, the Caps took a 2-1 lead after Backstrom found Wilson in the slot.
The burly Toronto native buried the shot from the slot, giving him another goal on Hockey Night In Canada.
Tom Wilson’s second goal
13th goal of the season for @tom_wilso 😏 #CapsHabs #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/NxCzuLsfY3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 24, 2018
Wilson’s second goal was due to an unreal setup by Nicklas Backstrom.
Wilson now has 13 goals on the season – a career high.
“You can chalk those up to two passes from one of the best playmakers in the game right now,” Wilson said. “I was fortunate to just hop in the right spot and shoot it. It’s nice to get those and Nicky made some great plays.”
“You just got to get your stick ready and he’ll find you.”
