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The Washington Capitals are now even (4W-4L) with shootouts on the season. The shootout win against the Carolina Hurricanes also moves them up to 4 points behind Carolina in the Southeast Division standings. Since the Boston Bruins also won their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Cap's are still 2 points out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
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At the start of the first period, you could tell that Washington was determined to take this game. Their hunger for the win showed as they peppered their prey with shots on goal in preparation for the feast that was ultimately to come in the end. However, Carolina caught up with the Cap's shots wise later in the first. Both, Washington's Cristobal Huet and Carolina's Cam Ward would have to be sharp in net, and both were. The first to strike was the Hurricanes. After Alexander Semin was awarded two minutes in the penalty box for hooking, the 'canes got their first lucky bounce with just 13.3 seconds left in the opening period. Jeff Hamilton sent a pass toward Joe Corvo, but the puck deflected off of the back of a skate of Washington's Boyd Gordon. The puck went about 40 feet, zipping past Huet, who was being screened by Erik Cole..
The first goal for the Capitals was also on the power play. With the referees deciding to call a couple of the infractions that took place a third of the way through the second period, Washington had a 5 on 3 situation. One second after Trevor Letowski got out of the box, the Cap's evened the score during 5 on 4. While Washington was cycling the puck deep in the offensive zone, the 'canes found themselves frozen. With their opponents "puck watching" instead of defending, our boys struck. From the slot, Nicklas Backstrom fed Sergei Fedorov at the right side of the net. He then slid the biscuit through the top of the crease to Alexander Semin on the other side. Semin snapped it home, to make the score even. Later on, Carolina's Scott Walker - who had already missed 17 games earlier in the season due to a torso injury, slammed into the boards while trying to make a big hit on Milan Jurcina. Jurcina, skating out of the corner with the puck, saw Walker coming and hit the brakes to avoid the impact. Walker left the ice, but returned later in the game. Shortly after, Victor Kozlov had control of the puck in the offensive zone. He left a drop pass for Backstrom. Nicklas sent the puck to Alex Ovechkin, as he drove straight through the slot. Alex rang the inside of the right post with his 61st goal of the season, surpassing the Capitals' single season record formerly held by Dennis Maruk. Maruk had called Ovechkin earlier in the day to wish him luck in breaking the 26 year old club record.
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Still in the second period, possession of the puck rapidly pin balled back and forth for a while, and Ovie crushed a couple 'canes before another adjustment was made to the score. Cole was driving to Washington's net when Shaone Morrisonn tried to clear him with a hit that helped send him into netminder Huet, which drove them (and the puck?) into the goal. The referee at the net, lost sight of the puck. Apparently, the judges in Toronto had a video that they didn't care to share with anyone else. While neither Comcast SportsNet or the Washington Capitals had a video conclusively showing the puck completely cross the goal line, somebody supposedly coughed one up. So, the higher ups counted the goal anyway. Oh well? It wouldn't matter in the end. So, it was 2-2 after two.
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The third period held plenty of good hockey action. Both goalies were great. Mike Green made a wonderful play, containing Erik Cole while without a stick. His efforts helping to thwart Cole's scoring attempt. Morrisonn poked the puck away from Cole on another drive, with 11 seconds left in regulation. To me, Mo probably saved the game on that one.
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Five minutes of overtime wasn't enough to finish off the game. Washington had a couple chances, but there was no getting through Cam Ward. He even made an odd looking standing save on Ovechkin, squeezing the puck between his catching glove and his blocker. Don't see that happen very often, these days. Actually, both Huet and Ward have that same rare hybrid style - half butterfly, half old time stand up. Thankfully, the shootout didn't go on and on, the way it sometimes does. The first five guys didn't have any luck. But, our specialist Viktor Kozlov effortlessly sent the puck past Ward top shelf.
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The win puts the Capitals within one game of an even season series with the Hurricanes. They will get their last chance to make it 4-4, when Carolina pays their last regular season visit to Washington, DC on Tuesday, April 1st. This victory gives Cristobal Huet his fourth straight win. Of course, Alex Ovechkin broke another club record with his 61st goal of the season. But, he does that record breaking thing on a fairly regular bassis. So, thanks to both Alex's for their regulation goals. Thanks to Mo for the nice defensive play at the end of the third. Finally, thank you Kozzy for hitting the back of the net in the shootout!
All Photos - Karl DeBlaker / AP
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