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Capitals Takeaways

Takeaways: Oshie, Ovechkin Clutch As Capitals Top Flames

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1 year ago

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Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals had a lot to be thankful for on Black Friday, as the stars shined bright en route to a big win over the Calgary Flames.

Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie had a goal and an assist, while Darcy Kuemper stopped 32 shots for a dominant 3-0 victory over the Flames.

The Capitals have now won back-to-back games and are now 9-10-3 and have 21 points, putting them two points out of a wild card spot.

Here are all the takeaways from the victory:

Alex Ovechkin Continues Climb Up All-Time Goals List

Ovechkin was a man on a mission on Friday, and after picking up a first-period assist, he added a gaol of his own late in the game to continue his chase of the NHL’s all-time goals record.

The Great 8 struck on the power play in the third period, kicking the puck to a stand-still and firing a quick shot past Jacob Markstrom to make it 3-0. It marked his 11th goal of the season and 791st of his career.

He is nine goals from 800 and 11 from passing Gordie Howe for second on the NHL’s all-time goals list.

T.J. Oshie Stays Hot In Return

The Capitals got a much-needed spark when Oshie returned to action on Wednesday, and his impact lingered into Friday’s game as well. Oshie kicked things off early for Washington, rocketing home a one-timer courtesy of Erik Gustafsson to make it a 1-0 hockey game just 7:56 into the first. It marked the first time in five games that the Capitals had the game’s first goal.

The 35-year-old would add an assist later on and now has four points in two games since returning from the lower-body injury that sidelined him for 11 straight games.

So, to put it simply: The Oshie Effect is real.

Evgeny Kuznetsov Scores Highlight-Reel Goal, Washington Capitals Keep Pressure Up

After managing just six shots in the first period, Washington turned up the pressure in the second, spending the majority of the time in the offensive zone and outshooting Calgary 13-6. And, late in the frame, the Capitals would go up 2-0 on an absolutely beautiful goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov picked the puck up from a backtracking Oshie in the neutral zone and powered into the offensive zone. He dangled through three skaters and stayed with the play, and while falling, managed to slide the puck past Markstrom for arguably the best goal of the season.

Darcy Kuemper Comes In Clutch

In Wednesday’s OT win over the Flyers, Kuemper wasn’t completely thrilled with his performance, calling the goals he surrendered “bad” ones to let through. He made up for it on Friday.

The 32-year-old was rock solid, coming up big with a couple of ten-bell stops, while also shutting down rebounds, controlling the tempo and tracking the pcuk well. He finished the night with 32 saves for his second shutout of the season.

Kuemper has shut out the Flames four times in his career.

Additional Washington Capitals Ice Chips

  • Ovechkin has seven points in his last four games and has 21 points in 22 games this season.
  • Erik Gustafsson’s nine assists are tied with Nick Jensen for the team lead among defensemen.
  • Sonny Milano had two assists and now has points in back-to-back games.
  • Matt Irwin led the team with four shots.
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