Game #38 Recap: Caps 3 Carolina 2

Washington traveled to snowy Raleigh and came away 3-2 winners behind the strong play of goaltender Semyon Varlamov. Varly stopped 33 of 35 shots and was positionally solid all night. Alex Ovechkin put in a hardworking effort and was rewarded for being in the right place at the right time when he put home his 4th game-winning goal of the season. The Caps were out played at the beginning of the game but did not yield a goal and they took a 1-0 advantage on a goal from Mathieu Perreault. At the end of the first period Perreault was blindsided by Carolina's Tim Gleason. The hit broke Perreault's visor and stick with the stick coming around and slicing his face. It was a gruesome site and Gleason was giving a major penalty for charging and thrown out of the game. I am sure the league will take a look at the hit but most likely nothing will come of it. The Caps started the second period with a 3 minute power play as Matt Hendricks was given a roughing penalty following the Gleason hit. Washington moved the puck well and got some decent shots on net but couldn't score. Following the penalty the Caps made a bad line change and the Canes tied the game with a 2-on-1 goal. The Capitals answered back with David Steckel disrupting the Canes breakout and Alex Ovechkin jumped on the loose puck and took it to the net. He tried a move on the Canes d-man but lost the puck and it came squarely onto Steckel's tape, who fired it home to regain the lead. Ovechkin got the third Washington goal when a shot from Mike Green deflected right to him in the left wing circle. Ovie buried it for a two goal lead. The beginning of the third period saw the Caps with a defensive lapse that the Canes turned into a deflection goal in front of Varlamov. The Canes pressed for the rest of the period, including two power plays but Washington only allowed 7 shots on goal. Overall it was a good win for the team. They next play on Tuesday against Montreal.

Of Note:

• The Capitals big scorers were back on the score sheet with Ovechkin getting 1 goal 1 assist, Alexander Semin assisted on Perreault's goal, and Mike Green assisting on the Ovechkin game-winner.
• Semyon Valamov got his 5th win of the season and was awarded the game's #2 star.
• The Capitals blocked 14 shots in the game with Mike Green and John Carlson leading the way with 4 each.
• The Caps continued their power play struggles as they went 0 for 2 but the penalty killing was strong again killing off all 4 Carolina power plays. Washington has allowed 1 ppg against in its last 5 games.
• Scott Hannan was +1.
• Nicklas Backstrom can't buy a goal. He had a wide open net at the end of the game but shot over the goal. It's coming for Nick, I can feel it, he is going to break out soon.
• David Steckel had a good night. 1 goal on 1 shot to go along with 1 hit and 1 blocked shot. He won 11 of the 16 face-offs he took.

Official Recap
Game Summary
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