The Washington Capitals weathered the storm in just minutes, losing to the Seattle Kraken in the flood Thursday night.
Martin Fehervary and Conor Sheary scored and Ovechkin collected two assists, but things fell apart towards the end of regulation when the Kraken were able to hit back and force overtime before Matty Beniers scored seven seconds into a 3-on-3 to set the Capitals up send packing, 3-2, at the Climate Pledge Arena.
Washington is now 10-11-4 and two points away from a wild card spot.
Here are all the takeaways from the defeat:
Sheary, Ovechkin Lead Defamation Charges for Washington Capitals
The Capitals have been getting better with their starts lately, and Thursday was no different as the offense got off to an early start thanks to Sheary and Alex Ovechkin. Washington was able to get going quickly in Seattle with the early pressure from top trio Ovechkin-Strome-Sheary. That paid off, because Martin Fehervary was able to pounce on a loose puck and shoot a slap shot past Philipp Grubauer to make it 1-0. Ovechkin and Sheary added the assists. Ovechkin now has six points in three career games against Seattle and points in three of his last four games overall.
An absolute BULLET from Marty gave us a 1-0 lead ‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/0YB9c3NfGn
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 2, 2022
Then, on the power play, Sheary got the team on the board after a picture-perfect passing game from Ovechkin and Marcus Johansson to make it a 2-0 game. It was another multi-point outing for No. 73 that has been a standout for DC this season. That goal also marked the team’s fifth PPG in seven games.
Perhaps the most beautiful goal for them @Capital Cities all season 🤤 pic.twitter.com/MxES5oBPPL
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 2, 2022
Both Ovechkin and Sheary were the best players on the team, Sheary in particular. The 30-year-old created some quality chances, was all over the ice and showed his speed, tenacity and assertiveness as he helped build pressure and lead the offense.
That early start would give Washington the upper hand and an important cushion as the Kraken could tip the ice in the second game.
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Thursday’s game was anything but typical Seattle, as the Capitals and Kraken saw a low-shooter, high-hazard game play out. And there was probably interference from the hockey gods.
After Jaden Schwartz came on the board with a power play goal in game two, Seattle upped the ante and took control in midframe. It was a slower start for the high-flying Kraken, but in the second step they matched the pace of the Capitals, began to show their weaknesses, and created a few chances.
Still, Darcy Kuemper and Washington, despite letting the lead slip away, had some luck with the puck. Jordan Eberle had the chance to equalize in the second. Kuemper caught an edge and went down in a lopsided pad stack, leaving the net wide open. However, Eberle only hit the post, and Seattle couldn’t bury the rebound. It was great luck for DC Beniers, who also once took a good opportunity in the slot, and late in the game Andre Burakovsky hit the inside post. Seattle kept pushing, however, and it paid off when Yanni Gourde, with the help of his former friend Daniel Sprong, finally got a rebound past Kuemper with 2:27 left in regulation.
All in all, Thursday was an adventure for Kuemper on the net as he pulled out all the stops and showed off his athleticism, flashing the pads and gloves while diving and making a few breakup stops. Grubauer also had some impressive saves and bounces off his end of the ice.
Kuemper finished with 22 saves on 25 shots (.880 save percentage).
TJ Oshie makes statement in Homecoming
Oshie had family and friends in the stands for his homecoming and first NHL appearance in his native Washington state, and he made the best of it. No. 77 was a force to be reckoned with as he put on a show and made some great moves while creating chances in the offensive zone. However, his most striking play came in the opening minutes of the action.
MUST SEE IT: Oshie, Gourde drop the gauntlets after a big hit
Oshie threw a big hit at Brandon Tanev which led to a fight with Gourde. It was Oshie’s 10th NHL fight, his seventh with the Capitals and his second with Gourde, who also fought Oshie in 2020. His punches got Washington going and while he was in the box Sheary came in for him on the PP and scored.
The 35-year-old’s energy is contagious and his game is definitely a role model for his teammates. But the team just couldn’t make it.
Extra Washington Capitals Ice Chips
- Johansson now has points in three games in a row.
- Dylan Strome, Lars Eller and Nic Dowd won over 50 percent of their faceoffs. Dowd led the way, winning seven out of eight (87.5 percent).
- Ovechkin led the team with five shots. His two assists also made for his 120th multi-assist game of his career.
