Capitals stay hot at home, beat Canucks three to one
The Washington Capitals beat the Vancouver Canucks three to one. The Caps were down one to nothing early in the game but made a comeback.
I was concerned at the start of the game Caps looked very slow and looked like they where playing down to a much weaker Canucks team. Groubauer played a great game stopping 37-38 shots, and letting in his one and only goal short handed down two skaters being named my star of the night.
What stood out to me the most during this game was the amazing grit shown by Devante Smith-Pelly standing up for one of captains after he took an elbow to the head and went after and fought Ben Hutton. The 6’1 223 pound power forward showed this team has each other’s backs, and will stand up strong for each other; true definition “for the boys” in the hockey community. There is nothing I love to see more than that kind of grit in a player and his teammates showed it.
I was a little disappointed in the power play going against a team who’s penalty kill ranked at 27 fourth worst in the league and ended up not scoring on three power play chances. When you have the fire power of the Caps they need power play goals on teams like Vancouver because it’s only going to get harder in the playoffs.
Other unlikely hero of the night was Brooks Orpik who ended the game with four blocked shots, three shots, a plus one and 20;49. Players like that win championships and that’s why the Caps brought him in, and they will need more performances like that in the playoffs to bring home their first cup.
I thought they first line played well, but still didn’t score a goal, but put up a lot of shots on net (All Sweadish no Finish). The best line tonight was the second line. Kuznetsov had a beautiful goal and Varna had a ton of chances showing off his amazing speed. I was impressed as well with the third line since Trotz demoted Oshie to the third line to compliment Eller. Eller tonight scored his 200 career point with his second period goal and congratulations Eller! Caps play Carolina on Thursday and they should continue on with there hot streak.
