Postgame Recap: Caps 5 Predators 3

 The Caps were able to win their 4th in a row last night behind a solid defense, even though they were able to take a 4-1 lead the Predators fought back. However, the Caps would hold on and leave Nashville with win #39 on the season.

My Thoughts:

*Marcus Johansson came back last night and did he ever make a difference. MJ90 scored a goal and added two assists. More importantly that third line buzzed all night, and was a difference maker in the game. People were throwing Marcus's name out there as trade bait but the way he has played this season shows he needs to stay.

*Tom Wilson had one of his better offensive games of the season, as he set up Jason Chimera for the first goal of the game. Then one timed a pass from Marcus Johansson to make it 2-0. Getting a goal and assist his huge for Willy's confidence.

*Justin Williams scored his 17th goal of the season after a great shift by the second line. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky added assists. I believe now that is a 7 game point streak for Burakovsky.

*The Caps took  4-1 lead in the third but a couple of lucky bounces lead the Preds to make it a 4-3 game. However, Alex Ovechkin would score a empty net goal to put the game away.

*The Caps did get a power play goal on Ovechkin's empty netter, however it still struggled a bit. Mostly last night was due to the lack of calls made on the Preds. The Caps PK however was very good even though the Preds scored one, the Caps still killed off five.

*Former Caps draft pick Filip Forsberg scored two goals last night, again making fans angry that the former GM traded him for a player who two years later is in the KHL.

*I thought all night the Caps defense played very well, blocking shots and Holtby was very good as well. The only issue with last night is the Caps let up and then the Preds got a couple of bounces. So, a game that was in control ended up being a battle to the end.

*Regardless of that the Caps still were able to win their 4th in a row. I said it before that this team is scary good, they still haven't made it to the second gear I know they have in them and are still 30 games over .500 just 52 games into the season. It was a good start to the road trip.


What's Next: Thursday Feb. 11th at. Minnesota 8:00 p.m on CSN-Plus