Postgame Recap: Caps 3 Kings 1

 The Caps had a rough time early against the Kings last night, as they squandered power play chances. Then gave up a shorthanded goal, however the Caps would rally and score 3 unanswered goals to take down the Kings 3-1.

My Thoughts:

*The Caps power play is till struggling as they were 0/5 last night, and then fell behind 1-0 after a shorthanded goal by Anze Kopitar.

*The Kings were then all over the Caps but Philipp Grubauer played in my opinion the best game of his career as he kept the Caps in the game. Grubbi ended the night with 39 saves on 40 shots, and was the difference last night.

*The Caps finally got on the boards after Andre Burakovsky redirected a slap pass from Dmitry Orlov to tie the game 1-1. For Burakovsky it is his 7th goal in the last 10 games, he is developing into a good secondary scoring threat.

*Brooks Orpik got a assist on the Burakovsky goal, and for his first game since Nov. 10th I thought he played pretty well. Never was he out of position and he played a physical brand of hockey you need to have against the Kings.

*The third period the Caps started to take the game to the Kings more than the first two periods. About midway through the game the Caps had a team huddle at the bench as Barry Trotz lit a fire under his group. They responded because they played much better the second half of the game.

*The Caps would break down the door late in the 3rd as Justin Williams kept a play alive and found Evgeny Kuznetsov who tucked the puck in past Jonathan Quick to give the Caps the lead with 2:02 left to go in the game. For Kuzy it was his 16th goal of the season, not only did Williams get a assist but the red hot Andre Burakovky added one as well.

*The Kings would pull Quick but the Caps would hold on and finish the game when Marcus Johansson cleared the puck for Jason Chimera to score on the empty net to put the game away. For Chimera it was goal #16 for him as well.

*Overall the Caps didn't play well for most of the game but Philipp Grubauer stole the game, and the two points will again go a long way to clinching home ice through the playoffs. I think the second half of the game the boys played better but they need to play more consistent. Anyway, you take the two points against a team that very well can win the Western Conference.


What's Next: Thurs. Feb. 18th at. NY Islanders 7:00 p.m on CSN