Game #59 Recap: Caps 2 San Jose 3

The Capitals started out strong but faded as the game wore on and after falling behind 3-1 in the third period could only muster one more goal for a 3-2 final. The Caps led the play for most of the first period but fell behind on a shorthanded turnover that ended up in the back of the Washington net. John Carlson lost his footing at the Sharks blue line allowing a two-on-one rush. The Caps responded 22-seconds later when Alex Ovechkin scored on the power play for the first time in 6 games. The second period was more balanced with both teams settling in for a more defensive game. The Sharks began to control the action in the third and took the lead on a blown assignment that allowed two Sharks to be free in front of the net and deposit a rebound into the net. San Jose extended the lead while on the power play when a point drive was deflected a couple times and found its way into the twine. The Capitals responded late with a goal from Nicklas Backstrom with 2-minutes remaining in the game. Unfortunately for the Caps it would be all the could get and the leave the West Coast with another loss. The team suits up again in Buffalo this Sunday.

Of Note:

• Alex Ovechkin played another good game picking up 1 goal and 1 assist for his second consecutive 2 point performance. He appears to be playing much more like he is capable of which leads me to believe he has been suffering from a nagging injury that has been bothering him from about the 18th game this season. We'll see as the rest of the season plays out.
• John Carlson, after is little stumble on the power play, picked up assists on each of the Capitals goals.
• The Caps went 1 for 1 on the power play and 1 for 2 on the penalty kill. 
• Michal Neuvirth stopped 25 of 28 shots on goal in the loss. He made several key saves late to keep the Caps in the game.
• Alexander Semin picked up an assist on the Ovechkin power play goal but was not as effective as he was in Anaheim. The Caps are definitely looking for a second line center to give him more to work with.

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