On Thursday, the Washington Capitals (29-23-7) played their final game before the Olympic break. The force was on their side […]
On Thursday, the Washington Capitals (29-23-7) played their final game before the Olympic break. The force was on their side as they beat the Nashville Predators (26-24-7) 4-2 on Star Wars Night at Capital One Arena.
However, the bigger story was Pierre-Luc Dubois returning in his first game since Oct. 31. It’s like when Han Solo returned after being frozen in carbonite.
The Capitals quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Tom Wilson and Dubois. Right away, it seemed like there was a new hope with the 27-year-old’s return from injury.
Jakob Chychrun also stepped up with two tallies on the evening. The blueliner continues to be a (phantom) menace on the ice.
Logan Thompson also came back and had a standout game in net. Maybe Spencer Carbery told him, “Do or do not, there is no try.”
Nashville tried to rally down two goals but looked like stormtroopers trying to shoot the puck. In the end, the Capitals celebrated like they blew up the Death Star.
The NHL will now go on hiatus for three weeks as Wilson, Thompson, and Martin Fehervary participate in the Winter Olympics. After that, the Capitals return to action on Feb. 25 to host Philadelphia.
Capitals Analysis
Dubois officially returned to the ice after missing 47 games due to adduction surgery. He was slotted into second-line center to skate with Wilson and Aliaksei Protas.
It took a little bit for Dubois to get used to playing at full strength again, but came through once he did. The 27-year-old helped set up Wilson’s game-opening goal in the first. This turned out to be Dubois’ first point of the season, believe it or not.
Carbery then increased his minutes, as the Capitals went to the power play. Dubois sniped a shot past Justus Annunen to make it 2-0 in the same period.
It was truly a comeback game for Dubois as he provided a spark in the top-6. He also helped shut down Nashville’s top line of Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly, and Luke Evangelista.
In the middle frame, Nashville cleared the puck as Chychrun caught it in the neutral zone. He then made a spin move on the defense and carried the puck into the offensive zone.
Chychrun fired the puck past Annunen for his 20th goal this season to extend the lead to 3-0. He is now the second Capitals defenseman and first since Larry Murphy to register back-to-back 20-goal campaigns.
Up 3-1 in the third, Nic Dowd appeared to extend the lead with a goal of his own. However, it was overturned on a coach’s challenge due to Brandon Duhaime being offside.
Shortly after that, Nashville pulled within one as Michael McCarron got to the net front and snuck in a rebound.
However, the Capitals didn’t give up as they went on the man advantage late. Seconds into the power play, Chychrun sent the puck home for his 21st tally this season.
Capitals Report Card
Team: A-
The Capitals got a much-needed spark with Dubois’ return. The team got many chances and kept the pressure going throughout the night.
Pierre-Luc Dubois: A+
What more needs to be said? After missing 47 games, Dubois made his presence known with two points on Thursday.
Jakob Chychrun: A
Chychrun had another standout game as he recorded two goals. He now leads all NHL defensemen with 21 on the season.
Logan Thompson: A
Thompson stepped up in his return from an upper-body injury by stopping 27 of 29 shots. He made the save of the year by robbing Jonathan Marchessault on a 2-on-0. The 28-year-old will now head off to Italy to represent Team Canada.
Tom Wilson: A
Wilson got things going with the first goal of the game. The Team Canada Olympian was also very physical as he laid out a big hit on Ozzie Wiesblatt.
Martin Fehervary: B
Fehervary went on to shut things down defensively, especially after John Carlson left with a lower-body injury. He will represent Team Slovakia in the Winter Olympics.
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