Game #15 Recap - Capitals 5 Hurricanes 1

The Washington Capitals first line dominated the scoring as the Caps beat the Hurricanes 5-1. The Canes simply had no answer for them last night. The trio combined for 4 goals and12 points in the game. Alexander Semin refuses to cool off. He contributed 2 goals and three assists for a 5-point night. Alex Ovechkin collected a goal and two assists. Nicklas Backstrom got his first goal of the season and chipped in 3 assists. Mike Green was the only other Cap on the score sheet with a goal and an assist.

In the first period the Caps jumped out to a 3-1 lead. The Canes had a 1 minute 18 second 5-on-3 advantage late in the period but could not connect. Brent Johnson was on his game again, giving up 1 goal on 13 shots but was injured at the end of the period. Jose Theodore relieved Johnson in the second. Carolina came out hard in the second but couldn't gain the momentum as Theodore stopped all 13 shots he faced. The Capitals didn't play their best game but they outworked the Canes and took advantage of their opportunities. The Caps now sit alone as the leader in the Southeast Division. With the result last night, I believe I have proven the blind squirrel theory valid with a correct prediction.

Of Note:

• Alexander Semin had the first 5-point game in his NHL career. He scored goals on the only two shots he took in the game. He is now leading the NHL in points, goals, and plus minus rating. He is currently on pace to score 71 goals and rack up 148 points. Wow!
  
• After a 1st period scrum, Semin was seen giving Doanald Brashear the license numbers of offending Hurricanes. Future action may be possible there is no statute of limitations in the NHL.
  
• Alexander Ovechkin has goals in two consecutive games and 8 points in his last 4 games.
• Mike Green's goal was his 5th power play goal of the season. His slap shot was aided by a beautiful goalie screen from Brooks Laich.
• The Caps were 1 for 5 on the power play and stopped 6 of 7 Carolina power play attemps.
• The team combined for a season high 18 blocked shots.
• The game stats gave the Hurricanes 27 hits to the Caps 18. That seems odd to me, the Canes didn't look nearly as physical as the Caps.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary