Capitals Hold Off Hurricanes for a 3-1 Win

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The Washington Capitals returned to action at Capital One Arena following the NHL holiday break and got a huge 3-1 win over their Metropolitan Division rival Carolina Hurricanes 3-1. It was their third win in a row that saw goals from Chandler Stephenson, T.J. Oshie and John Carlson. Christmas was fun and the Caps had great videos, but it feels good to see them play hockey again.

It was a scoreless first 20 minutes of play but it seemed like the Hurricanes were more hungover from the holiday break than the Caps were. Washington had the advantage in shots in the opening period 16-8 and were constantly on the attack the whole night.

The Caps finally got on the board in the second with two goals to put them up 2-0 entering the final 20. Chandler Stephenson notched his fourth goal of the season capitalizing from a turnover by defenseman Calvin De Haan in front of the net. The turnover was forced by Devante Smith-Pelly.

The Caps doubled their lead to two goals on the power play late in the second with a T.J. Oshie deflection for his 11th goal of the season. Oshie deflected a shot from John Carlson. The Caps power play broke a four-game goalless slump with that tally, a drought of 0-for-19.

In the third period things got tense. Matt Niskanen went down on a hit from Clark Bishop.

Despite Niskanen’s face slamming into the boards, there was no penalty on Bishop. Gruesome but he did skate off on his own will. He didn’t return. Todd Reirden said after the game that he doesn’t have an update on Niskanen currently but will have one in the morning.

The Hurricanes got one back with a goal from Sebastian Aho. If you thought the officiating couldn’t get any worse as a Caps fan with that non-call, you were proven wrong. With 3:48 left in the game Michal Kempny was called for high-sticking Aho. The Caps PK came up huge and John Carlson sealed the game with an empty net goal for his sixth of the year. Caps win 3-1 for their third win in a row. They’ll head to Ottawa for the second Saturday in a row this weekend.

The Scenes from the game:

 

 

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