Washington Capitals (15-9-3 33pts) v. Arizona Coyotes (13-11-2 28pts)
Game Recap:
The Capitals snapped their 2 game losing streak by continuing to play the game, and not backing down when things looked really bad in the first period. The Capitals also ended the Coyotes 4 game winning streak in the process. Another great game for Pheonix Copley in the net for the Capitals.
Lineups:
Washington Capitals:
Alex Ovechkin — Nicklas Backstrom — Andre Burakovsky
Jakub Vrana — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Brett Connolly
Chandler Stephenson — Lars Eller — Devante Smith-Pelly
Dmitrij Jaskin — Nic Dowd — Travis Boyd
Michal Kempny — John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov — Matt Niskanen
Jonas Siegenthaler — Christian Djoos
Pheonix Copley
Braden Holtby
Scratched: Madison Bowey
Injured: T.J. Oshie (concussion), Brooks Orpik (knee surgery), Tom Wilson (concussion)
Arizona Coyotes:
Alex Galchenyuk — Nick Schmaltz — Clayton Keller
Richard Panik — Derek Stepan — Christian Fischer
Mario Kempe — Brad Richardson — Vinnie Hinostroza
Lawson Crouse — Nick Cousins — Josh Archibald
Oliver Ekman-Larsson — Kevin Connauton
Jakob Chychrun — Niklas Hjalmarsson
Alex Goligoski — Jordan Oesterle
Adin Hill
Calvin Pickard
Scratched: Conor Garland, Ilya Lyubushkin
Injured: Antti Raanta (lower body), Darcy Kuemper (lower body), Michael Grabner (eye), Jason Demers (lower body), Christian Dvorak (upper body)
First Period:
Coyotes Goal – 4:48 – Christian Fischer (6) from Derek Stepan (7)
Capitals Penalty – 18:38 – Lars Eller 2 minutes for Hooking
End of 1st – WAS – 0 ARI – 1
Shots 11 11
Faceoffs 07 07
Hits 09 06
PP 0/0 0/0 *1st in progress
Analysis:
This was not the greatest period for the Capitals. They were overwhelmed by the Coyotes speed, and there were too many turnovers as the Capitals had 6 compared to the Coyotes 1. This game could be worse, but Pheonix Copley has been playing very well to keep the Capitals in the game.
Need to Do:
The Capitals need to play a better overall game and contain the Coyotes speed as that is one of the biggest reasons as to why the Coyotes are forcing all of these turnovers. Also the Capitals need to play much better in their own zone.
Second Period:
Coyotes Penalty Shot – 1:16 – Richard Panik – Miss (Brett Connolly – Throw Object at Puck)
Capitals Goal – 5:27 – Jakub Vrana (9) from Brett Connolly (13) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (19)
Coyotes Goal – 6:58 – Lawson Crouse (6) from Nick Cousins (6) and Jordan Oesterle (5)
Capitals Penalty – 11:25 – Matt Niskanen 2 minutes for High Sticking
Coyotes Penalty – 13:07 – Jakob Chychrun 2 minutes for Tripping
Capitals Goal – 16:00 – Matt Niskanen (4) from Travis Boyd (6) and Pheonix Copley (1)
End of 2nd – WAS – 2 ARI – 2
Shots 18 18
Faceoffs 13 22
Hits 19 13
PP 0/1 0/2
Analysis:
This was a very back and forth period for the Capitals. It was good as they got the first and last goals of the period to make this game 2-2 going into the 2nd intermission. However, the Capitals are still chasing the Coyotes.
Need to Do:
The Capitals need to do a better job at containing and combating the Coyotes speed. Also the Capitals need to do a better job in the faceoff circle.
Third Period:
Capitals Penalty Shot – :16 – Jakub Vrana – Miss (Kevin Connauton – Hooking on Breakaway)
Capitals Goal – 15:18 – Andre Burakovsky (5) from Matt Niskanen (10) and Dmitry Orlov (8)
Capitals PPG _ 19:57 – Alex Ovechkin (21) from unassisted
End of 3rd – WAS – 4 ARI – 2
Shots 29 29
Faceoffs 20 31
Hits 25 18
PP 0/1 0/2
Analysis:
This was a fast moving 3rd period that started with a good break by Jakub Vrana drawing a Penalty Shot, but unable to capitalize, but then Andre Burakovsky netting the eventual game winner late in the 3rd to give the Capitals the win.
Next Up:
Washington (16-9-3 35pts) v. Columbus (16-10-2 34pts)
Arizona (13-12-2 28pts) v. San Jose (13-10-5 31pts)
