The Washington Capitals decisively downed Jordan Binnington and the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, despite the distinct disadvantage of wearing blue helmets.
Connor McMichael scored early, taking a shot before St Louis’ defense could mark him. Scott Perunovich tied it as someone (probably Vrana) lost his coverage. Alex Ovechkin scored in the second period after some brilliant play from his linemates, then Jakob Chychrun notched one in his return, leaving us 3-1 after two periods.
Ovechkin got his second goal of the night on a third-period power play. Rasmus Sandin scored after Mike Sgarbossa’s breakaway attempt got sabotaged. Connor McMichael got his second of the night after Strome and Carlson put on a neutral-zone clinic. Mike Sgarbossa made it 7-1, and the Caps played it cool. Duhaime made it 8-1, and they basically pretended it didn’t happen.
Caps win! Nothing is forbidden anymore!
- Before we get into the game, you need to know how amused I was by Ian’s critique of the Caps’ blue helmets. I thought it was fine, but I admit I have a personal bias against hockey tradition and also against things looking good. Besides, the ‘stitious among us now have reason to like the buckets.
- With two goals, Connor McMichael remains north of a point per game. You can see the confidence in his game right now. For his first, he just cruised into the offensive zone, saw his opening, and used it without hesitation. For his second, he showed patience to elude Binnington. When I was overly psyched about this player a few years ago, even I didn’t think he’d ever be at this level. I need to write about this in more detail soon.
- With one gorgeous shot and another act of determination, Alex Ovechkin scored his 9th and 10th goals of the season. He’s on pace for almost 60. The record for most goals scored by a 39-year-old is 39, by Gordie Howe, obviously.
- Dylan Strome has an assist on every single Ovechkin goal so far. Ten of ’em. Backstromesque.
- I love that Jordan Binnington gets a highlight for this play, which existed only because he misplayed the puck in the first place. Love to watch that guy get lit up.
- Jakob Chychrun returned after five games on the shelf, and you could feel it immediately. He set up McMike on the first goal and caught a sick pass from Pierre-Luc Dubois for a goal of his own later in the game. On a personal note, and this is how I know I’m washed up, tweeting “Raw Milk Never Boils” would have been huge in 2019. No one cares anymore. Either X, The Everything App, is cooked, or I am.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois drew a hook on a breakaway early in the third period, and I cannot for the life of me understand why he didn’t get a penalty shot. Ovi got a goal on the ensuing power play, so I’m not complaining.
- Logan Thompson remains undefeated. He had to make some big saves in this one.
That was delightful, especially after that disappointing loss on Friday night.
So ends a relatively easy week for the Caps. Things will change starting now. Their next three opponents (Leafs, Avs, Knights) averaged over 100 standings points last season. Really, there are no easy games for the rest of the month. And that’s fine. The Caps are ready for it. So am I. Let’s effing go.
