Green Line Brawl

The Washington Capitals couldn't dull the Buffalo Sabres, but they were just a bit sharper tonight, winning 4-3 in overtime. This could have been a runaway regulation win if they could use their brains across all 200 feet of the ice. #ALLCAPS

The Caps get another extended layoff before their next contest, again at home, against the Flyers. And then another game in Tennessee the next night, because of course it's a back-to-back after all that. Hopefully everyone will be healthy by then and things can start to have a sense of continuity.

GLB's three stars of the game: ⭐️ Alex Tuch (2G, +1, 3 SOG, 1 block, 2 hits) ⭐️⭐️ Dylan Strome (2G, 1A, +3, 5 SOG, 1 block) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jordan Kyrou (2A, 3 SOG) #ALLCAPS

Ilya Protas didn't do much in his nine and a half minutes. It seems like Carbery is still trying to figure out when and how to deploy him, and how to build a line around him. Normal rookie issues.

The power play was 0 for 3 and looked every bit of it. Strome's goal did come right after one expired, but it's not one of those goals where it came because of sustained and dangerous pressure in the zone. 23rd best power play in the league is not gonna cut it.

He doesn't have to be a Tom Wilson style freight train, but he doesn't even use the body the way that someone like Miroshnichenko does. I was hoping these things would be tweaked over the offseason, so maybe they just aren't things the team wanted to see addressed.

Speaking of Miro, during the game, it came out from Elliotte Friedman that the Capitals gave him permission to explore a trade with other teams, which will only happen if the return is solid. I would expect they either want a good RHD or maybe a 12F upgrade, but we'll see if and when it happens.

Jakob Chychrun is one of the guys still trying to get going, and tonight was mostly a decent game for him in terms of that. Two assists is nothing to sneeze at, and with four shots and five blocks he contributed to pressure in both ends. The giveaway that got them scored on is a big minus, though.

Aliaksei Protas logged four shots but is still too hesitant to let it rip. I think he might need to kinda redevelop his game. He needs to use his size a bit more defensively and be a bit more aggressive on offense. When you're a million feet tall and 250 lbs, get your ass to the net and shoot.

Alex Tuch got the usual Capitals serenade before playing his old team and it got him going too, with two goals of his own. He played more than any other forward and earned every second of that ice time. Kyrou also continued playing winning hockey with two helpers (four games in a row with points).

The offseason acquisitions have been the best parts of the team this year, aside from Logan Thompson, and it's really giving the Capitals a much-needed bit of cushion as they work on playing a complete game, getting past injuries, and finding winning line combinations.

The Caps only let the Sabres get 21 shots all the way to Lindgren, blocking 15 with another 19 attempts off target. Washington managed 34 SOG, with Buffalo blocking another 24. The total attempts were practically identical, 58-55, but Washington's were better aimed and more dangerous on the whole.

Dylan Strome woke up big time tonight, maybe sensing my mention from last game. Two goals, of course, and the game-winning assist, and just generally really good play. Even won 11/16 face-offs, looking especially good next to Dubois' 4/18.

The D-zone plays and turnovers are just mind-boggling. Spencer Carbery specifically called this out as a point of emphasis and the Caps emphatically ignored it. I don't understand how they can play well everywhere else but then have these lapses in the most crucial areas.

Washington at this point seems to just live and die by what they do in their own zone. They can generate offense, for the most part, even if only 5v5. It all just depends on how much of a hole they put themselves into.

Who else but Tuch? The former Sabre puts his old club away in overtime, finding the perfect angle off the perfect feed from Strome. Can't ask for better. #ALLCAPS

For the first time this season, the Caps are headed to overtime. 3-3 leads to 3-on-3. #ALLCAPS

Even again, now at 3. #ALLCAPS

Washington tightened up just a bit and look what it did for them. Down 2-1 at the end of one, now the Capitals are up 3-2. Strome gets both the new goals, Lindgren keeps Buffalo from getting any more, and it's a different looking game going into the third. #ALLCAPS

A quick move from Sourdif frees him up to find a lane to Strome, who buries it and gives the Capitals their first lead of the night. #ALLCAPS

Dylan Strome's in the right place to corral the puck and get it in around Luukkonen. I guess weird bounces are the way for them tonight. #ALLCAPS

The Capitals are suffering from their trademark self-inflicted goals, but it's only 2-1, so I guess it could be worse. The Sabres have put up just five shots, but what they were allowed was too good not to score with. They'll hit again if Washington doesn't start trying in their own zone. #ALLCAPS

Tuch and Kyrou combine to somehow beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and get the Caps on the board. #ALLCAPS

Chychrun guesses (poorly) where Fehérváry is, and the Sabres have been gifted two goals already this period. #ALLCAPS

russianmachineneverbreaks.comCapitals claim defenseman Jack St. Ivany off waivers from Winnipeg JetsThe Washington Capitals have enacted a little payback on the Winnipeg Jets via the waiver wire. After the Jets claimed goaltender Clay…

Thought the Caps had a good handle on things until they let Jack Quinn have a free go at Lindgren. #ALLCAPS

Green Line Brawl reposted

RMNB

@rmnb.blog

The Capitals claimed defenseman Jack St. Ivany off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets.

Game ten for the Washington Capitals is finally upon us (only five teams haven't already hit that mark), tonight at 7 PM. It's gonna be extra tough to keep the Sabres of Buffalo in their scabbards with Desharnais out, but hopefully a healthier forward group can pick up some slack. #ALLCAPS

Green Line Brawl reposted

Capitals announce they have recalled goaltender Mitch Gibson from Hershey and have placed defenseman Vincent Desharnais on Injured Reserve (IR). Coach Spencer Carbery said earlier today that Logan Thompson (lower body) remains day to day

Anyone know if Matt Roy can play 60 minutes? Maybe 65

Tom Gulitti@tomgulittinhl.bsky.social

Capitals at practice today: Tuch-Strome-Kyrou A.Protas-Dubois-Wilson Ovechkin-I. Protas-Beauvillier Jenner-Sourdif-Leonard Chychrun-Roy Fehervary-Liljegren Hutson-McIlrath Lindgren Leslie (EBUG) Extras: Miroshnichenko, Frank

Green Line Brawl reposted

Capitals announce defenseman Vincent Desharnais underwent a successful appendectomy surgery on Thursday and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks

Green Line Brawl reposted

Capitals announce they've returned C Jonny Brodzinski to Hershey. Positive sign for Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has missed past 5 games because he was ill, but has skated with the team the past two days. Again, next game isn't until Saturday, so plenty of time for him to get ready.

Green Line Brawl reposted

Logan Thompson won't practice with the Capitals today. Team says he is day to day/lower body. He was slow to get up after making consecutive saves on Artemi Panarin in the second period last night, but played the full game.

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

The Capitals get three days with no games before hosting the Sabres on Saturday. Plenty of time to get healthy, get yelled at, get heads in the game. So they'll probably drop that one too.

GLB's three stars of the game: ⭐️ Ryan Leonard (1G, 2 SOG, 2 hits) ⭐️⭐️ Logan Thompson (21 SV) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jakob Chychrun (1A, 6 SOG, 1 block, 1 hit) #ALLCAPS

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

No clue why Chychrun hasn't been able to turn it on all the way yet, but you gotta give him credit for trying his hardest despite that. Six shots tonight as he does his all to get himself and the team going. Him and Roy reuniting can only do this team some good.

No points or standout moments from Ovechkin, Wilson, blond Strome, the leadership core of this team right now. Would have been an ideal time for them to turn it up and make something happen, but I'm not sure if two of the three are really capable of that right now.

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

Then again, Beauvi was part of the reason LA tied it up late in the first. He and Brodzinski combined on the Caps' opening goal as well as the turnover to give Panarin his goal. The BBL line giveth and taketh away.

I thought this would have been a good night to give Miro more than ten minutes of play, considering he at least always works, but that wasn't in the cards. Quiet night for him.

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

The goal scorers for Washington being Hutson and Leonard is a bright spot in all this. They both made great plays and put the team in what, at the time, looked like a great position to win. Hutson ended up a -2 on the night, which is not ideal for a D-man, but he has the rookie excuse.

The Capitals block the most shots in the league, but couldn't get it to double digits on a night where it would have been appreciated. Shoutout to Beauvillier for taking their biggest block of the season so far and not losing his foot in the process.

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

Can't fault his effort. Injury or not, he made all the stops that could have been expected of him. He just got put in too many bad positions to reasonably win a game that they only scored twice in.

Darcy Kuemper had one of his best Capital One Arena nights tonight, making fantastic saves on good chances. Allowing five goals in a row is never excusable, but the main reason they were unanswered is Kuemper.

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

The Capitals overall just got outworked tonight, which should never happen but especially not against the oldest team going. The Kings, with only 11 forwards for most of the night, fully earned the win and, I imagine, will celebrate it appropriately.

I thought LT was fine going into the third but he couldn't hide his injury all night. Something's wrong and time will tell if it's minor enough to have been safely pushed through or not. That left leg bothered him for half the game.

The Washington Capitals break another two-win streak and let the Los Angeles Kings get their first win of the season, losing 5-2. #ALLCAPS

Everyone was falling all night long. What's up with the ice? Can't even blame the weather anymore.

Things looked up for 19 minutes tonight. Two goals to none, power play hit, Kings couldn't get their chances to go. Then LA put their heads down and willed the tides to turn.

Laughton's empty netter makes it a five-goal run. #ALLCAPS

Kempe and Panarin, not new to tonight's scoresheet, hustling and sealing their first win of the season. #ALLCAPS