Capitals Report Card: Caps Score Five to Crush Jackets

The Washington Capitals (12-9-2) bounced back after a rough loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday. They continued their homestand by crushing the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-9-3) 5-1 on Monday night.

With the win, the Capitals have now won four of their last five games, showing that the team is really back.

Jakob Chychrun opened the game with his first of two goals to give the home team a 1-0 lead in the first period.

The Capitals then went on to score three goals in the middle frame, as Tom Wilson, Chychrun (again), and John Carlson made it 4-0.

Then, in the third period, Martin Fehervary became the third Capitals blueliner to score on Columbus netminder Elvis Merzlikens.

The Capitals will continue their homestand with two more games the week of Thanksgiving. They will host Winnipeg on Wednesday and Toronto on Friday.

Capitals Analysis

The Capitals’ victory on Monday came mostly from the defensemen, especially Chychrun.

Chychrun helped the Capitals get on the board by jumping on a loose puck and firing it past Merzlikens. This extended his goal streak to three games and his point streak to eight.

“I think we generated a lot offensively and capitalized on some great looks,” said Chychrun. “It was a good effort.”

Chychrun went on to score his second tally on the power play in the middle frame, as he got a hold of the puck and sniped one through the high slot into the net. This was an improvement from the previous game where the Capitals went 0-for-6 on the man advantage.

In the second period, the Capitals scored three goals in a span of 3:28, including two in 12 seconds.

Wilson made it 2-0 later in the period when he finished off a passing play from Aliaksei Protas and Justin Sourdif. Chychrun then scored on the man advantage with 14.7 seconds left. Finally, with two seconds left, Sourdif won a face-off draw, as Alex Ovechkin set up Carlson for a one-timer to make it 4-0.

In the third, Fehervary attempted a shot from the point that went through multiple players and past Merzlikens.

Logan Thompson got the start in net for the Capitals and also bounced back after giving up four goals on six shots on Saturday. He ended up stopping 20 of 21 shots that went his way en route to his ninth win this season.

“I thought overall it was a perfect team game from everyone–from forwards to D,” said Thompson. “Overall just a really positive game.”

Capitals Report Card

Team: A+

After giving up five goals on Saturday, the Capitals responded with five goals of their own on Monday night. One of the stronger team performances this season.

Jakob Chychrun: A+

Chychrun scored two goals and extended his goal streak to three games and his point streak to eight.

Capitals Defensemen: A+

Four of the Capitals’ five goals were scored by blueliners, including Chychrun, Carlson, and Fehervary. The team’s defensemen have accounted for 19 goals, leading the league this season.

Tom Wilson: A

Wilson was the lone forward to score for the Capitals on Monday, as he now leads the team with 12 goals on the year.

Justin Sourdif: A

Sourdif has really blossomed into a solid addition to this Capitals team. His two assists marked his first career multi-point outing. Sourdif also now has points in back-to-back games.

Logan Thompson: A

Thompson bounced back after a rough performance on Saturday. He now improves to 9-6-1 on the season.

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