Game #58 Recap - Capitals 2 Thrashers 3 (OT-SO)

The Capitals put on a great effort last night but were forced to settle for 1 standings point. Atlanta's goalie Kari Lehtonen stopped 39 of the Cap's 41 shots and both of the Cap's shootout attempts. Olie Kolzig was excellent in net for the Caps stopping 26 of 28 shots on goal. Viktor Kozlov started scoring in the second off a rebound of an Alex Ovechkin shot. Following two 2nd period Thrasher goals, the Caps finally responded at 18:39 of the 3rd when Mike Green made a nice outlet pass to Nicklas Backstrom who directed the puck to Ovechkin who buried a wrist shot from the left wing circle to tie the game. The Caps poured 6 shots on Lehtonen in the overtime but the game went to the shootout. The Thrashers scored on their first two attempts and Alexander Semin missed the Caps first attempt and Boyd Gordon was stopped on the second attempt.

Of Note:

• Ovechkin was kept in check for most of the game but still managed a goal and an assist.
• Boyd Gordon must be feeling shell shocked as he was robbed twice in the game by Lehtonen and then again in the shootout.
• The Caps were atrocious in the face-off circle winning just 21 of 60 draws.
• Nicklas Backstrom recored assists on both Capital goals and now has 47 points on the season.
• Mike Green had an assist and was a +2 for the game. He and Ovechkin led the Caps with 6 shots on goal apiece.
• Capitals defensemen Tom Poti left the game in the first period with an injury.
  
• Just a bit of a rant here but I feel like Washington always seems to get the shaft in other buildings when it comes to the three stars of the game. In a 3-2 overtime, shootout win the three stars all went to Atlanta. Why can't the Washington media take the hint and boost our own players for a change. For instance the gave Sean Avery of the Rangers the third star in the Caps last victory on Sunday. That's ridiculous. I know it doesn't make that much difference in the big picture but I don't like seeing our guys get the cold shoulder. The were at least 4 or 5 Caps that should have been considered one of the 3 best on the ice last night and I want them to be recognized.
  

Official Recap
Game Summary
Super Stats
Shootout Details