Caps retreat against Vegas, fall in OT
The Washington Capitals put in another uneven effort and paid for their inconsistency with another loss after regulation. Playing their second game in as many nights, the hometown Capitals came did manage another standings point. However it was another costly loss as emerging forward Beck Malenstyn would leave the game with an injury in the first period.
The first period the Golden Knights were the clear aggressor pacing the game with 11 shots against goalie Charlie Lindgren. Despite the visitors’ strong start, Washington would score the opening goal on a power play strike from Marcus Johansson at 3:39. Vegas would get on the board at 18:55 with a power play goal of their own from Jack Eichel.
The Caps would put out a more workmanlike effort in the second period. They began swiftly with a goal from Trevor van Reimsdyk just past a minute into the period. They would employ a strong forechecking game at times pinning the Golden Knights in their own zone for long shifts.
Unfortunately their efforts peeled back to a more passive attack in the third period. Vegas regained the momentum and stayed on the attack the entire 20 minutes. They would go on to fire 10 shots on goal compared to four for the Capitals. The lack of aggression would ultimately lead to a tying goal from Vegas winger Will Carrier. The blast from the left circle would knot the game with just under six minutes remaining in regulation.
The Capitals bad fortunes in overtime continued as they failed to record a shot on goal and Vegas persisted in their attack. Shea Theodore would put the game away at 1:35, sneaking past Alex Ovechkin after taking a pass form Eichel. Lindgren would finish the game with 28 saves on 31 shots. It was another subpar output from the Capitals as they put up on 21 by comparison.
The latest information as of this posting on Malenstyn’s status lists him as having an upper body injury. No official long term evaluation has been made. Speculation has it as an arm or wrist injury at this time. The Capitals will briefly go back on the road for their next game on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, faceoff time is slated for 7 PM ET.
