Capitals Struggle Against Power Play, Fall 5-2 To Detroit

The Washington Capitals struggled to stifle the Detroit Red Wings’ power play, falling 5-2 Saturday night.

Despite holding the opposition scoreless his last time out, it took seven minutes for Capitals goalie Hunter Shepard to surrender a goal. Red Wings center Austin Czarnik pushed one into the net, giving Detroit an early lead.

The Red Wings continued to run ahead of the Capitals. Detroit’s Moritz Seider added the team’s second goal of the night after gaining a man advantage, which was followed by another power play goal in the second period, this time off the stick of Dylan Larkin.

Thanks to Dylan Strome, the Capitals were able to add to the scoreboard in the second period. Strome’s power play goal narrowed the gap, 3-1, but its impact was short-lived. Five minutes later, Detroit’s Cross Hanas pushed one past Shepard, extending the Red Wings’ lead.

Just before the end of the period, it was Matthew Phillips who found a hole and scored on Red Wings goalie Ville Husso — cutting Detroit’s lead back down to two entering the third period.

In the third period, the Capitals’ efforts to chase down the Red Wings proved futile. Larkin added his second goal of the night for Detroit, cementing the team’s win.