The Washington Capitals drooped their fifth game in a row in a 8-5 offensive shootout loss the Chicago Blackhawks in a Sunday afternoon matinee at United Center in Chicago. All five Capitals goals came from defensemen with All-Star John Carlson pacing the way with two while Brooks Orpik, Dmitry Orlov, and Matt Niskanen each added a goal of their own. In the end though, the Caps goaltending couldn’t overcome a Blackhawks attack highlighted by a four-goal afternoon from Jonathan Toews. The Cap shave now dropped eight of their last 11 games and are still looking for answeres. They haven’t dropped five games in a row since the start of the 2014-15 season.
Things got off to a poor start for the Caps. After failing to cash in on the power play on a hesitation pass from Jakub Vrana they dug themselves into a 2-0 hole with goals from Brandon Saad and Patrick Kane.
Here's the first goal if anyone cares ¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/hekLEJAZgb
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019
We're not worried at all! Nope, not us! pic.twitter.com/7IRpHwQi7y
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019
These goals happened in the span of a minute and 20 seconds and would be the beginning of a long day for Braden Holtby, who earlier this week missed two games due to vision trouble. He did recover and get the start in Friday night’s 2-0 loss to Barry Trotz’s Islanders.
The Caps got a goal from their veteran defenseman leader Brooks Orpik, who just six days ago played in his 1,000th NHL game. The goal was Orpik’s second of the season.
Orpik throws it on net and it gets deflected in – Caps get one back #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/qVJKLOZZa7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 20, 2019
The home team snatched the momentum right back off a misplay by Dmitry Orlov. Orlov tried to deflect a shot but would up past Holtby into the Caps’ own net. It made it 3-1. The goal was credited to Jonathan Toews.
Whoopsie pic.twitter.com/3gbUqe06mw
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 20, 2019
The Blackhawks took a 3-1 lead into the locker room after the opening 20 minutes. The Caps led in shots 15-9. In the second, Alex DeBrincat made it 4-1, ending Holtby’s afternoon. Pheonix Copley entered the game in relief.
The @NHLBlackhawks woke up on the right side of the bed today.
They are buzzing!
Stream #WSHvsCHI here: https://t.co/F2jZoWrPBJ pic.twitter.com/0ZjksRPcLQ
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 20, 2019
There was a big trip to the penalty box for both teams. Duncan Keith slashed Tom Wilson while he was roughing Brent Seabrook. Additionally, Devante Smith-Pelly was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct and David Kampf hooked Michal Kempny. Shortly after, Alex Ovechkin and Connor Murphy were penalized for roughing and we got a nice Sunday episode of Full House: Sin Bin Edition.
Trying to squeeze too many people in the backseat. pic.twitter.com/iG4VVyikF0
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 20, 2019
Just to recap…👊 pic.twitter.com/eWNVkLAlgb
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019
Bench buddies!
Stream here: https://t.co/2BJA8HdTXZ pic.twitter.com/eyRgN8wFdi
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019
Then Blackhawks goalie Collin Delia practically stood on his head with spectacular saves on shots from John Carlson twice and Tom Wilson.
And anotha one… pic.twitter.com/jdrHKAxoMt
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019
WE ARE NOT WORTHY, COLLIN DELIA!
WHAT. A. SAVE. pic.twitter.com/xD2IJ8oRU1
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 20, 2019
But then the momentum shifted toured the defending Stanley Cup champs who were determined to put an end their four-game winless drought. Orlov redeemed himself to make it a two-goal deficit with a sharp-angle shot for his third goal of the season.
Another Dman, another goal – @orlov_09 gets another one back for us #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/NjbYTwbwLB
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 20, 2019
The score would be 4-2 after 40 minutes with the Blackhawks leading in shots 12-9 in the second period. The Caps inched closer with a blast from All-Star defenseman John Carlson for his seventh of the year.
Carly with the clapper and we're within one! #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/T8CZBdSVBI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 20, 2019
The Blackhawks answered 36 seconds later with Kane’s and Toews’ second goal of the game.
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 20, 2019
The Caps made a last ditch effort with more offensive firepower from the defense. Carlson netted his second goal of the game, eighth of the season.
Carly gets his 2nd of the period under Oshie and over the shoulder of Delia here during #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/WS98H176yz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 20, 2019
Then the Caps closed the gap to 6-5 thanks to Matt Niskanen’s sixth goal of the season.
Nisky through the screen and up over the blocker to give the #Caps their 5th goal of the game #CapsHawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Lk2SzqTcKi
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 20, 2019
The Blackhawks answered with Toews completing the hat trick 62 seconds later.
It's raining hats in Chicago!
The sixth career hat trick for @JonathanToews! pic.twitter.com/4gAXwkTp93
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 20, 2019
The Blackhawks added an empty net goal by Toews. The Caps outshot the Blackhawks 14-7 in the third and outshot them overall 38-28 but it simply wasn’t enough. Holtby stopped seven of the 11 shots he faced for a .636 save percentage while Copley tried his best to keep the Caps in the game, stopping 14-of-17 for an .824 save percentage.
Washington has a back-to-back beginning Tuesday night at Capital one Arena hosting the San Jose Sharks before heading to Toronto on Wednesday night for a nationally televised tilt with the Maple Leafs. Then Carlson, Holtby, and head coach Todd Reirden head to San Jose for All-Star weekend.
