(Caps Outsider)
The 2-0 deficit after two periods on Saturday against the L.A. Kings sucked the air out of Capital One Arena. It’s not that the Caps were playing bad, or weren’t getting chances, but there was nothing to celebrate and only one period left to do anything.
With goals by Nic Dowd, John Carlson, Lars Eller and Marcus Johansson – four players in their thirties – it was clear that experience made a difference in the third period. Even Dmitry Orlov, who had three assists, is 31.
Johansson, who turned 32 recently, perhaps wasn’t thinking that way when he replied “We’re not all old,” to Athletic reporter Tarik el-Bashir, who brought up the ages and experience of the players who contributed to the win, especially after they did something similar against Vancouver last week. “Experience is always a good thing.”
“It didn’t feel like it was two to nothing, so we stayed with it,” Coach Peter Laviolette said, saying that the game was ‘tight’ and ‘unlucky’ in the first two periods.
As for Johansson, who is on his second stint with the Caps, he’s already got five point in six games this season. “I don’t really think about the points that much. Sometimes they come in bunches and sometimes you have to work really hard for them… I’d trade all the points for more points for the team.”
