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Capitals Takeaways

Takeaways: Strome, Capitals Battle, End Trip With Big Win Over Flyers

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1 year ago

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Washington Capitals

On a wild six-game road swing that saw good times, bad times and a little bit of everything, the Washington Capitals ended the trip on a high note in Philadelphia.

Alex Ovechkin scored two, while Dylan Strome picked up a goal and assist and Charlie Lindgren stood tall en route to a big 4-1 victory over the Flyers.

Washington now has back-to-back wins and went 3-2-1 on the road trip. The team is within three points of a Wild Card spot heading back home.

Here are all the takeaways from the win:

Washington Capitals Come Back After Slow Start

After managing 50 shots against Edmonton and seeing 22 of those come in the first period of that game, the Capitals got off to a slow start in Philadelphia.

Washington couldn’t sustain a lot of pressure in the offensive zone or really make a lot happen. The Capitals also got three power-play opportunities in the first and couldn’t convert, and the penalty kill ultimately allowed a PPG to Kevin Hayes to make it 1-0 for Philly. It marked the 16th time this season that D.C. surrendered the first goal of the game.

Ultimately, after 20, Washington had just four shots on goal. It threatened to set the tone for the game, but fortunately, the team was able to rally and ultimately get more shots and pressure going en route to the win. It wasn’t the prettiest game, though.

T.J. Oshie Keeps Power Play Going

After missing out on the first three chances of the game, Washington finally cashed in on the fourth attempt in the second period.

Strome and Evgeny Kuznetsov orchestrated some picture-perfect passing and found Oshie, who fired a laser from the slot past Carter Hart to even the score.

The Capitals now have PPGs in four straight outings, and Oshie has PPGs in back-to-back games.

Strome Plays Hero With Go-Ahead Goal, Fourth Line Gets Credit Too

Strome was one of the heroes the last time Washington faced Philly, as he assisted on Ovechkin’s overtime game-winning goal. On Wednesday, he would get a go-ahead goal. However, it was also thanks to the fourth line that he got on the board.

Aliaksei Protas and Garnet Hathaway impressed with their battle along the boards and kept play and pressure alive. Then, when the puck came around, it got to Erik Gustafsson, who made a great slap pass to John Carlson. No. 74 then fired on goal, and Strome tipped it past Hart for the go-ahead tally in the third.

It marked Strome’s first goal in nine games and his second point of the night. Strome now has points in three straight and five of his last six outings overall.

Alex Ovechkin Moves To 795 Career Goals

Ovechkin was hungry all night long, leading the team with eight shots and getting looks from pretty much everywhere. Ultimately, he would get two empty netters, moving him to 15 goals this season and also moving him to 795 career goals, which is five away from 800, seven from passing Gordie Howe for second and 100 from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.

He also got into it with Travis Konecny afterward, as the Flyers leading scorer didn’t take a liking at all to the Great 8’s delay on the second goal.

Charlie Lindgren Comes In Clutch

With Darcy Kuemper still day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the team is relying on Lindgren to step up and help fill his void. He hasn’t disappointed.

After coming up huge for a big win over Connor McDavid and Edmonton two nights ago, he was in top form again, stopping 29 of 30 shots (.967 percent) and coming up with some big stops. He was controlled, calm and collected, and did what he could to keep the team in it.

Additional Washington Capitals Ice Chips

  • Gustafsson’s 10 assists this season are tied for the team lead among Washington defensemen.
  • Kuznetsov picked up two assists and leads the team with 17 helpers this season. Strome has 16.
  • Protas got some time with Strome and Ovechkin on the top line after Sheary’s work on the penalty kill in the third.
  • Carlson now has five assists in his last six games.
  • Anthony Mantha picked up an assist for his first point in three games.
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