📸: @PuckPapi
The Washington Capitals lost a frustrating road game to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. The Caps outplayed the Bolts by most standards, but the scoreboard is all that matters. This team has so much going for them, but they’ve got just enough flaws to keep missing standings points.
Brandon Duhaime received a brilliant pass from Ethen Frank to put the Caps up early in the first, but Emil Lilleberg restored the tie with a rush goal, immaculately unmarked by a player from the Caps third line. Jake Guentzel was similarly unencumbered when he deflected Victor Hedman’s shot on the power play, giving Tampa a 2-1 lead.
Late in the second period, Tampa’s Erik Cernak did an own-goal, with John Carlson enjoying the credit. Halfway into the third period, Brandon Hagel put Tampa ahead again with a goal that ought not have gone in.
Caps lose 3-2.
Ethen “Frenk” Frank returned to the lineup and made an impact right away. This is a brilliant play behind the net to set up Duhaime. And a great shot from #22 as well from a narrow angle.
Late in the second period, Tom Wilson knocked Brandon Hagel as he crashed the net, causing a collision with Logan Thompson that had everyone sweating as the Caps goalie skated to the bench without putting pressure on one leg. But that was just because he lost a skate blade. If Washington’s top scorer had injured Washington’s best goalie, that would have been a poor evening.
Wilson made himself the main character of this game, which would have been great if he had any points. He earned a game misconduct in the final minute.
The Caps had defensive issues on both Tampa goals in the first period. Lilleberg wasn’t marked coming down the slot, then Guentzel had no pressure in the power-play punishment zone. It was dispiriting to see really strong play-driving during five-on-five get undone by one careless backcheck and the slow disaster that is Capitals special teams. The third line – the one with Sourdif, Lapierre, and Leonard on it – was on for the Lilleberg goal, and I wonder if that’s why they got not much ice time overall.
I thought the middle-six forwards played great. Great in the sense of the 2025-26 Capitals, which is playing well everywhere except in the opponent’s net.
There was a power play. I don’t want to talk about it. You don’t want me to talk about it. We all just want Spencer Carbery to talk about it in private.
With so much going wrong, the Bolts spotting the Caps an own-goal was a kindness. This Thanksgiving I am grateful for Erik Cernak.
RIP Amalie Arena. Long live Benchmark International Arena, named for a law firm that does M&A exclusively. Like Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.
From the Benchmark International out-of-town scoreboard: The New York Rangers got embarrassed by the New York Islanders. After seven games, the Rags remain winless on home ice. You hate to see it.
Probably Logan Thompson‘s worst game of the season. I’m sure Team Canada was tuned in. That’s just his luck.
Blue! #joebsuitofthenight
— RMNB (@rmnb.bsky.social) 2025-11-08T23:58:32.636Z
The Capitals are struggling for the lamest reasons. They are a top-ten team during five-on-five – maybe top five if shooting percentage played nice. But an atrocious power play and penalty kill is costing them multiple standings points per week.
On Tuesday, the Caps will visit the Hurricanes, an even better five-on-five team with an even worse (rank 32) power play.