Dmitry Orlov is seeing increased minutes and also wearing the A on his jersey. (Caps Outsider)
It was the third game in three nights, the second of a back-to-back against one of the top teams in the league, and the Caps were missing about half of their team due to injuries with their back-up goalie in net.
Yet, going into the third period Tuesday, the Caps had every reason to beat Las Vegas. Even after giving up the equalizer, they came close to winning as Garnett Hathaway’s shot hit the twine just a second too late. Then came overtime and a 3-2 loss.
Coach Peter Laviolette made it clear that he was unhappy with the third period, though the Caps only gave up one goal and lost yet another player – this time Beck Malenstyn – to an injury. However, he was happy with the rest of the game, including the second period, when the Caps had extended zone time but only one goal to show for it.
The Caps are already missing T.J.Oshie, Tom Wilson, John Carlson, Connor Brown, Carl Hagelin and Nicklas Backstrom, yet still battled and earned four points in the last three games.
The best part, according to the Laviolette? The goaltending. Charlie Lindgren was… “Awesome. He gave us every chance to win the game.”
