(Caps Outsider)
The Washington Capitals have struggled to score recently, tallying more than two goals just three times since January 21. On Feb. 25, the Caps’ stars rose to the occasion against the rival New York Rangers.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, (2g, 2a) T.J. Oshie, (2g, 1a) Alex Ovechkin, (2a) Tom Wilson (1g, 1a) and Erik Gustafsson (2a) all had multi-point games as the Caps doubled up their Metro division rivals, 6-3.
“We’ve been working hard on getting our game right,” Oshie said. “On everyone pulling for each other playing together. … Tonight was no different. You need your big players to step up. I get paid a lot of money to put offense on the board and I haven’t been doing that of late. It felt good to get a couple up there.”
Oshie opened the scoring, deflecting a Gustafsson point shot home on the power play for the second straight game. But Washington’s lead was short lived as the Rangers tied less than four minutes later.
Moments after the Rangers tied the game, Oshie laid a punishing hit on New York defenseman Ryan Lindgren by the benches where there is no glass to help absorb the contact. Lindgren was injured on the play and after the next face-off, Oshie was challenged to a fight by Barclay Goodrow. With a goal, assist and fight, Oshie recorded his first career Gordie Howe Hat Trick and first for the team since Anthony Mantha’s in November.
Following the fight, the Rangers had a five-on-three, but were unable to score.
“Those are momentum drivers,” Wilson said of the kill. “When we get that kill, its one of those games where we won’t be denied.”
The Caps killed the penalties and the momentum pendulum swing once again in the Caps favor. However, the team was unable to capitalize and the teams went into the locker room tied at one.
The second period belonged to Washington.
Darcy Kuemper kept the game tied early in the period with a few big saves, and allowed the Caps to find their legs. When the team did, it was once again Oshie who put the home team on top.
Oshie received the puck in the slot from Dylan Strome and he rifled a shot past Ranger net minder Igor Shesterkin.
Wilson then extended the lead with a gorgeous one-on-one move before roofing it past Shesterkin.
Smoooooth operator pic.twitter.com/nfrDe6TdR9
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 25, 2023
The goals to extend a lead was a point of emphasis for Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette following the team’s most recent loss to Anaheim. He was much more pleased to see his team extend the lead Saturday.
“There’s lots of games here recently where we’ve thrown up numbers, thrown up attempts, thrown up quality chances and they’re just not dropping for us,” Laviolette said. “Tonight, they dropped for us.”
The Caps did more than just extend the lead, as they piled on four goals in the middle frame. It ties a single-season high, but it was just the first time since Jan. 5 against Columbus. The third goal in the period was from Sonny Milano who got just enough on a backhand shot to get the puck over the line after a scramble ensued following Oshie hitting the post. Kuznetsov capped off the period by converting on a breakaway chance. Following the goal, Kuznetsov performed his signature “flapping bird” celebration.
Always love us a good bird@budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/ay1gG36eRC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 25, 2023
The Capitals entered the locker room after the second period with a 5-1 lead. While the offense had done its part, Darcy Kuemper also made timely saves to stifle any thought of a comeback.
“I thought he was dialed in with the rest of the group,” Laviolette said of Kuemper. “I thought he was on point with his game right from the start.”
The Rangers would cut the lead to 5-2 on a five-on-three goal by Chris Kreider. Kuznetsov would halt any thoughts of a late comeback by scoring on another breakaway.
Kappo Kakko would add a tally in the final minute, but the result was already sealed. The issue for the Caps is if it is too late, as the team has already traded two players ahead of next week’s NHL trade deadline. With eight out of 20 games left against teams not currently in a playoff position, plus five games against the two teams that currently hold a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference (New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres) the team showed they can still make a run to get into the playoffs.
“We just got to keep moving forward in the right direction,” Wilson said.
