📸: kurly from #crashers
The Washington Capitals squared off in a spooky, scary matchup with the New York Islanders on Halloween night. The Caps were trying to stave off a three-game losing streak early in their schedule against an Islanders team sitting last in the Eastern Conference.
Despite a dominant first period from the Capitals, the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes. Tom Wilson opened the scoring, and JG Pageau scored an offside goal that counted for some reason to keep the game tied heading into the third period. Bo Horvat put the Islanders up one early in the third. Mat Barzal empty netter.
Islanders beat Capitals 3-1.
Get RMNB ad-free
Support us on Patreon for $5 to hide all ads and get other perks
The Capitals created 19 scoring chances, nine high-danger chances, and 2.11 expected goals in the first period alone. They did not leave the frame with a goal. Unfortunately, that’s becoming a bit of a trend to start the season, as the pucks just aren’t falling behind the other team’s goal line. You have to think the luck turns around at some point.
Pierre-Luc Dubois left the game near the end of the first with a pretty serious-looking lower-body injury. The Capitals only just got him back from injury, and it looks like he’ll be headed right back out of the lineup. Some more terrible luck.
Before the game, the Capitals announced that they had re-signed Ivan Miroshnichenko to a two-year contract extension. Miroshnichenko, currently out injured in the AHL, was set to become a restricted free agent next summer.
The Capitals were not nearly as good in the second period, but the Dubois injury completely threw them out of whack, so I don’t really blame them. The officiating was also highly questionable to send them into the third tied 1-1.
The Islanders scored their second-period goal shorthanded on an offside play. The Capitals challenged. Despite a clear view from Monumental Sports Network showing JG Pageau in early, the linesmen and NHL Situation Room allowed the goal to stand. I’m not sure how that’s possible in today’s game. I understand it was extremely close, but you’re the ones who implemented this review process; you need to adhere to it. In my eyes, the play was offside. There is no “tie goes to the runner” in the NHL. Mind-boggling.
Tom Wilson scored his sixth of the season with the Team Canada management staff in the building to watch the game. Logan Thompson was also fantastic again. Let’s see what excuses they’ll come up with to exclude both from their Olympic roster.
I rarely give props to opposing players, but Matthew Schaefer is so impressive to me so early in his career. The kid made several huge defensive plays in this game and can skate like the wind.
Just not enough push in the third period at all. You would never be able to tell that the Islanders were the team that had played last night.
I don’t know what else there is to say about the power play. I think some serious, uncomfortable conversations need to be had about the roles of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson on the first unit. The overall ineptitude of the man-advantage groups is costing the team standings points.
The Capitals have lost three games in a row, something they did just one time last season.
The Capitals will have no time to rest as they’re set for Buffalo to take on the Sabres in the back half of a back-to-back. Let’s hope Dubois is alright and Dylan Strome returns to the lineup.