Capitals 4 at Lightning 3
Three Winning Observations.
The Capitals delivered on their first (and only) power play opportunity of the game, a solid shift of offensive pressure that broke down the Lightning defense in front of goaltender Mathieu Garon. Troy Brouwer would benefit from Mathieu Perreault and Nicklas Backstrom passes, sliding the puck around an overcommitted Garon on the glove side from the slot. Head Coach Adam Oates’ club has now scored power play goals in six straight games, his team’s possession leading to high opportunity scoring chances like Brouwer’s. What was a sore spot to start the season has turned a corner, the Capitals converting at one hundred percent on Thursday night.
Right winger Eric Fehr continued his scoring streak (2GP 3G 1A) by putting two past Garon in the Capitals’ win. Fehr’s first was from a step outside of the crease but his early third period tally was a long rocket that beat the Lightning netminder from outside of forty feet. The two goal game was Fehr’s first March 9th, 2011 (s/t SWhyno). Thursday night’s contest was the second straight for Fehr with two points on the scoresheet so don’t be surprised to see his ice time increase in upcoming games (13:06 and 13:17 the past two). Capitals’ Captain Alexander Ovechkin had his three game goal scoring streak snapped but smiled happily after the victory, his team collecting six of six standings points over the past three games.
Perreault continued to build upon his previous games, the centerman registering a three assist contest that included a beautiful first on Brouwer’s power play tally. He would add two more assists on both of Fehr’s markers, making great use of limited ice (11:46 including :58 with man advantage). A single shot on goal and a positive +/- rank rounded out Perreault’s eleven minutes, the pivot largely responsible for Washington’s three goal lead midway through the final frame.
Two Losing Notes.
Lightning #1 goaltender Anders Lindback was feeling too ill to take part in the team’s morning skate and hung out on the bench for Head Coach Guy Boucher. Garon took the start in Tampa, coming in with a 4-1-1 career record against the Capitals. His recent history would be no match for Brouwer, Fehr, and Jay Beagle, the three Washington forwards hanging four goals on his neck. Garon made thirty five saves in the contest but needed to be only one better to get the Lightning a point.
Braden Hotlby’s attempted poke check on Nate Thompson late in the third period allowed the Lightning forward to easily deposit the puck into the net, making the final three minutes a cringe worthy one goal game. With Thompson in behind defensemen Karl Alzner and Mike Green it was Holtby charging into the slot but his brazen attempt didn’t catch Thompson off guard (while leaving his crease unprotected). A poor choice on Holtby’s part will be forgotten in the four to three win but it was a horrible decision to make and certainly could’ve cost the Capitals. After an earlier soft goal in the third from Lightning forward Teddy Purcell the Capitals’ goalie looked human after forty minutes, letting in two of twelve in the final twenty.
One Hero.
Both Perreault and Fehr had exceptional offensive outings but I am going to give my nod to the centerman, Perreault thriving in Oates’ attack from the get go in Tampa Bay.
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