This game marked the return of Alex Semin who picked up his first goal(s) in six games - two goals and a shootout goal - despite some lingering injuries, most notably to his wrist. I had noticed that he's been taking more slapshots than usual lately - probably easier on the wrist than the um... wrist shot. He could have had four or five.
We all know that Bongo is capable of winning a game pretty much all by himself on a given night - although he has to take his share of the blame on the Islanders second goal. You have to have enough situational awareness to not dipsy-doodle along the blue line when there's not a defenseman in sight (Green?.....Green?.....Green?). A bad team goal all around. Which gets me to my second point - not that I've identified a first.
I hate scoring a goal in the first minute of a game. It rarely works out to be beneficial. There's always a letdown and that is a bad, bad thing against an overachieving group like the Islanders who show up to play every night. Sure enough, the Isles poked in three before Theo worked up a sweat - not that he had to worry about that the rest of the night from his perch at the end of the bench. For the second straight game, he seemed to be having rebound trouble.
Unfortunately it was another typical game from the best 40 minute team in hockey as they put in a solid two-plus periods converting a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Once again, however, they were unable to close out a game failing to net an insurance goal and then taking the inevitable late game penalty - two of them in this case for good measure. Welcome to overtime. I would like to work up some outrage about this fact but the truth is they're just wearing me out. The team is what it is. They'll change or they won't. If they don't, it will absolutely be a short playoff run. Meanwhile, just buckle up and enjoy the ride - and the 11 round shootout wins against teams with half the talent of the Caps.
Varly was awesome in relief but I have to wonder if Boudreau thought the PP goal (a wicked slapshot over the catching glove) was a softie. It didn't appear much different to me than a goal he allowed in his last start that BB called soft.
Boyd Gordon is set to return any day now and Boudreau is going to have to make a tough decision. I don't know how you can send Perreault back down after another solid game. He is playing with total energy and enthusiasm and was rewarded with an opportunity in the extended shootout. (Eleven rounds before Clark closed it out.)
Fleischmann scored another goal. If he keeps up the pace its going to be really exciting when OV returns to the lineup.
Eric Fehr was back in the lineup and picked up a goal.
I think it was the TV crew that mentioned that the Caps lead the league in restraining penalties. I wonder if they track restraining penalties in the offensive zone as a category?
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