Harry Lichtman
The Washington Capitals’ (31-25-7) five-game home winning streak has come to an end. The team fell short against the Utah Mammoth (32-25-4) 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The first period was rough for the Capitals, as they weren’t able to get much going. They ended up with more shot blocks on defense than shots on goal.
The Capitals surrendered two Utah goals in the opening frame, courtesy of Dylan Guenther and Mikhail Sergachev. The team now known as the Mammoth looked more prepared in general.
Fortunately, the Capitals got two power play goals from Pierre-Luc Dubois and Ryan Leonard. Those two tallies gave the team some life.
The Capitals are also keeping an eye around the league as they make a late playoff push. Unfortunately, Boston, who owns the last Wild Card spot in the East, beat Pittsburgh 2-1 on Tuesday.
Speaking of which, the Capitals’ next game will be Saturday afternoon as they visit Boston to face the Bruins.
Capitals Analysis
The Capitals were once again without John Carlson, who missed his fourth game with a day-to-day, lower-body injury. The team also missed Aliaksei Protas, who was out for personal reasons.
As soon as the puck dropped, the Capitals looked off and couldn’t do much on offense. They couldn’t generate on goal, win board battles, or get the puck up ice.
For most of the opening frame, the Capitals showed defense as they racked up 10 shot blocks within the first 10 minutes of play. The team totaled 36 blocked shots by the end of the night.
Utah struck first early on when Guenther beat Logan Thompson from the top of the left circle.
As for special teams, the Capitals’ power play actually clicked as they went 2-for-2 on the night. Dubois scored the team’s first goal late in the first, while Leonard added a tally in the third.
Both players scored on similar shots, too, as Dubois and Leonard both beat Karel Vejmelka from the right circle. Before Tuesday, Washington had gone an abysmal 0-for-10 on the man advantage.
However, the Capitals’ penalty kill was a different story, as they went 0-for-2.
In the first period, Sergachev attempted a point shot through traffic and in the net to give Utah a 2-0 lead. Then, in the middle frame, Thompson accidentally knocked in a shot from JJ Peterka that went off the boards.
The Capitals tried to rally down one goal late in regulation, but ultimately fell short in the end. Vejmelka was just too much in net for Utah.
Capitals Report Card
Team: C-
The Capitals looked off for most of the night, as they couldn’t generate much on offense. Ironically, the team racked up 36 total shot blocks on defense.
Capitals Power Play: A+
The Capitals actually succeeded on the man advantage after going 0-for-10 previously. Dubois and Leonard each scored on both power play opportunities.
Capitals Penalty Kill: D-
Meanwhile, the Capitals surrendered Utah goals on both penalty kills. The team was sorely missing Carlson and Protas on the PK.
