The Washington Capitals ended their series of games in California with a modest victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. Despite half the roadtrip, the Caps team was rested and strengthened by the feedback from TJ Oshie and Nic Dowd.
Conor Sheary scored just two minutes into the game, then Alex Ovechkin converted a power play later in the same period. After a scoreless second period, Sheary got his second of the night, falling in the process. Alex Ovechkin recovered the empty net as Ilya Samsonov blocked it at the other end of the ice.
The caps win!
- Alex OvechkinThe power play goal was his first at Ovi Spot this season. His first PPGs had come closer. Big up to John carlson for giving Ovi a clean pass for the first time since the Trump administration. With his two goals, Ovechkin has 14 this season and 744 in his career. He’s just two power-play goals off Dave Andreychuk’s 274 NHL record.
- Fourteen goals are good, but Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl has 18 in 17 games. The goalscoring title could be out of reach this season.
- The Caps seemed rested and focused in the first half, but were sloppy in the second, spending most of the time in their own zone. And it was before Carl Hagelin got a double minor penalty for sharks with strong grip Jonas Gadjovich.
- The Sharks forward was also maimed in this one. Jonathan dahlen, son of Ulf, who appeared to suffer from an arm injury during a meeting with John Carlson. He did not return to the game.
- This makes consecutive shutouts of the incorrigible nephew Ilya Samsonov. It came a lot easier than this 34-save affair with the Kings.
Those late night games on the west coast are really enjoyable in Samsonov. I have the impression that he normally gets out of bed at this time of day. The Eastern time zone is erased too soon.
– Bill Thompson (@bthompson_bill) November 21, 2021
- After a small drop in score during matches, Conor Sheary had two tonight, including that cool shot while falling at the end of the third. I really like his style of play and the way he complements the rest of the squad.
- Aliaksei Protas scored his first point in the NHL, a secondary assist, on Conor Sheary’s goal. He almost added his first NHL goal, but Daniel Sprong smashed the net a little too hard.
- Nic dowd Looked good to me in his return from injury, his shots on goal (thanks Hags) and his above average minutes. TJ Oshie added some dynamism to the power play, but maybe he was saving his highlights for Sunday in Seattle.
A cooler color palette for @JoeBpXp this evening #joebsuitofthenight pic.twitter.com/oG19iM33mH
– good tweet pete taco emoji (@peterhassett) November 21, 2021
A bit of an uneven effort, but still a clear victory. Also, Ilya Samsonov is now protecting a big shutout streak, so I’m guessing someone just turned the button labeled goalie drama back in the red zone.
One more late-night game to play, and it’s Seattle. I can’t wait to be there, and then I can’t wait for this road trip to be over.
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