Game #45 Recap: Caps 2 Vancouver 4

The Washington Capitals lost their third consecutive game 4-2 against the NHL leading Vancouver Canucks. The Caps for the first time in their last 6 games scored in the first period and played even with the visitors. The Caps got on the board first when Matt Hendricks finished a nice transition play from the Capitals zone. John Carlson made a good drop pass to Boyd Gordon at the Caps blue line and Gordon fed a seam pass to Hendrick who buried a wrist shot behind Roberto Lunogo. The Canucks evened the score late in the period when Semyon Varlamov failed to pick up a point drive from the blue line. The two teams were tied 1-1- after the first period. The second period was all Vancouver. They held the Capitals at bay with strong puck possession and score once on the man advantage and once on a defensive break down at center ice. The Caps responded in the third period and created a bunch of chances but only a slick pass from Nicklas Backstrom to Marcus Johansson for a one-time goal was able to penetrate the Vancouver net. The Canucks rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal. The Capitals put up a good effort but special teams once again did the team in. They went 0 for 3 with the man advantage and gave up the go ahead goal with the Canucks on the power play. Washington needs to improve on this area of their game to be successful.

Of Note:

• The Capitals were out shot in the game 35 to 27. In their last 6 games the Caps have been out shot by a combined 212 to 176.
• John Carlson and Karl Alzner were again called upon to take on the oppositions toughest line. They more than held their own with a combined 37 minutes on ice, +3 rating, 3 blocked shots,1 takeaway and 1 assist.
• Semyon Varlamov took the loss stopping 31 of 34 shots and the team allowed the first empty net goal against since December 28, 2009.
• The Capitals dominated the face-off dot winning 38 and losing 18. Nicklas Backstrom went 19 for 24 and David Steckel won 8 of 9.
• Marcus Johansson scored his third goal in three games. The rookie is playing his best hockey of the season and has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points in 32 games.
• Matt Hendricks scored his 5th goal of the season. Backstrom, Carlson, Boyd Gordon and Brooks Laich each had 1 assist.

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