Game #41 Recap: Caps 0 Tampa Bay 1 (OT)

The Capitals looked to be suffering from a Winter Classic hangover in the first period as the Lightning took the play to the Caps net. The Bolts out shot the Caps 12-5 in the first period but Semyon Varlamov stood tall and no damage was done. 0-0 after 1. The second period saw a more determined Capitals team. With the help of an early power play, Washington evened the shot counter with the first 7 shots on goal and went on to put 21 shots on the Tampa net in the frame. Both teams clogged the neutral zone forcing a lot of dump and chase hockey. Midway through the period on a hard play along the boards, Matt Hendricks tangled with the Bolts' Steve Downie which led to a short bought that brought some life the the home crowd. The teams traded chances throughout the night but both goalies took turns denying shooters. The third period was more of the same with both teams putting 8 shots on goal with no goals. The game would go to overtime tied 0-0. Tampa pressed more than Washington in the overtime period and an errant rebound by Varlamov was fired into the net for the game-winner. Tampa out shot the Caps 5-0 in the overtime and took the outright lead in the Southeast Division with the win. The Capitals now get a couple days off before facing the Florida Panthers at home on Saturday.

Of Note:

• Semyon Varlamov was named the #1 Star of the Week by the NHL and played an exceptional game stopping 37 of 38 shots but would definitely like his final save back.
• Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin took 16 shots on goal between them. Ovechkin and Semin still have not broken out of their offensive funks from December. The two have combined for 15 points in the 16 games since December 1st.
• The Caps penalty kill continued its strong play stopping all 3 Tampa extra man advantages. The Caps have not allowed a power play goal against in their last 5 games and just 1 in the last 8.
• Mike Green led the Caps in ice time with 23:21 and had 4 hits, 1 takeaway and 1 blocked shot.
• John Carlson and Karl Alzner continued to shut down the oppositions top line holding Steven Stamkos, the NHL's second leading scorer, to just 4 shots on goal and no points.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary