The Washington Capitals have clinched a playoff spot, but there is still more work to do in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division. Two teams from that division matched up tonight in DC and the one from Carolina took home the two points and helped extend the battle for first in the division.
Michal Kempny got us started with his first goal as a Capital, but that lead was very short-lived as Derek Ryan tied things up almost immediately. Justin Faulk then walked right down the slot and fired a shot past Braden Holtby to give the Canes their first lead of the game.
Sebastian Aho scored late in the third to extend said lead and the Canes added an empty netter.
Hurricanes beat Caps 4-1.
- Shoutout to Lars Eller who played in his 600th career NHL game tonight! We’ve got five more years of Lars in DC to look forward to.
- At this point of the season as a Caps fan in the last ten years there isn’t too much to get excited about when it comes to the end of the regular season, other than Alex Ovechkin milestone watch. That’s why I was disappointed to see Shane Gersich not in the lineup tonight. I hope he gets a couple more looks before the loffs begin.
- The Caps team defense was an absolute mess tonight, more than usual. The Hurricanes are generally a very, very good even strength team and the Capitals this season are the opposite of that and that discrepancy was on full display.
- “Authentic Fan Friday” is unnecessary fan policing and will hopefully die before next season begins. You’re all very authentic in my books.
- Piggy-backing on one of my previous bullets, I think it’s very obvious that the Caps man-to-man defensive system gets exposed by teams that have mobile defensemen that love activating from the point. I think it’s similar to basketball teams that have mobile big men and run a motion offense.
- Michal Kempny scored his first goal as a Washington Capital, beating Scott Darling with a slap shot from the point. I think Darling may want that one back, woof.
- Jaccob Slavin is one of the most underrated players in the NHL.
- Hey, at least the Nationals and Orioles won their first games.
- Did I mention that the Caps looked utterly miserable tonight?
- Pat commented on my abysmal performance in fantasy hockey this year in the last recap, so I am here to inform you that my fantasy baseball team is much more likely to bring me success. And yes Pat, fantasy baseball is much more fun than fantasy hockey. Do not @ me as well.
Check out that hustle by @ovi8! pic.twitter.com/ua4HWtreKR
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 30, 2018
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsCanes #JustinWilliamsPostTeamPhotoDayReunionGame pic.twitter.com/Ol1TTrFCJc
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 30, 2018
The Caps next fixture comes in a new month in Pittsburgh where Alex Ovechkin will play his 1,000th career NHL game.
Full Coverage of Caps vs Hurricanes
Headline photo: Rob Carr
