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Capitals Takeaways

Takeaways: Ovechkin, Capitals Start & Finish Strong To Roll Canucks

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1 year ago

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Capitals Lars Eller and Alex Ovechkin

From the get-go, the Washington Capitals were on point at Rogers Arena against the Vancouver Canucks, and they got quite the effort down the lineup en route to a big road win in British Columbia.

Alex Ovechkin struck twice, while Anthony Mantha, Darcy Kuemper and more impressed as the Capitals dominated for a 5-1 victory over the Canucks.

Washington is now three points out of a Wild Card spot (10-11-3). Here are all the takeaways from the action:

Alex Ovechkin Makes History Again

The Great 8 was all over the place and busy early and often around the net, and it paid off as he broke another all-time record.

Ovechkin struck twice just minutes apart in the first period to pass Wayne Gretzky for the most road goals in NHL history.

The 37-year-old captain is now seven goals from 800, nine from passing Gordie Howe for second all-time and 102 away from breaking Gretzky’s all-time scoring record. He also has four goals in his last four games.

Anthony Mantha Breaks Out For Washington Capitals

After eight games without a goal, critics were questioning what was going on with Mantha. However, he finally busted out with a strong showing on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old first had a great primary helper on Ovechkin’s second goal of the game, finding the Great 8 for a perfect one-timer tally. Then, later in the second, No. 39 would get a goal of his own, firing a quick shot from right in front to make it 3-1.

Darcy Kuemper Shines, Defense, PK & Fourth Line Thrive As Team Puts Together Full 60

The Capitals got a great showing from quite a few pieces, as Kuemper had an outstanding outing while the fourth line, blue line and penalty killers stood out.

Vancouver’s power play is the fifth-best in the league, but Washington was able to hold them off with ease, shutting down all three power-play attempts against.

Meanwhile, Kuemper was locked in, controlling the tempo, coming up big with the glove and stepping up on rebounds. He ended the night with 31 saves on 32 shots (.969 save percentage).

In addition to the PK and Kuemper, the defense played a solid game, and arguably the best forward line was the fourth line of Protas-Dowd-Hathaway. Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway got assists on John Carlson’s goal in the second, and they also kept the puck alive and generated a lot of pressure in the offensive zone.

Overall, it was a strong 60-minute effort, and a complete game that is arguably the best the team has this season. Martin Fehervary sealed the deal with an empty-netter.

Additional Washington Capitals Ice Chips

  • Carlson now has five goals in his last seven games.
  • Lars Eller assisted on Mantha’s goal and now has 200 career assists.
  • Dylan Strome picked up his 13th assist of the season, tied with Evgeny Kuznetsov for the most on the team. He also won nine of 14 draws (64.3 percent).
  • Marcus Johansson has assists in back-to-back games.
  • Conor Sheary led all forwards with five shots.
  • Fehervary’s goal was his first since April 12, 2022 (32 games).
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