Losing one's own starting netminder after three straight goals normally isn't the greatest sign for a team. Most times, teams have already packed it in by that point. Bad games just happen, take what you can from them and hope they don't translate to the next one. For the Washington Capitals, losing Braden Holtby halfway through the game was a clear wake up call from head coach Barry Trotz.
NHL scores 2015: Capitals score 5 unanswered after Lightning chase Braden Holtby
Washington’s latest win has them tied for first in the league with the Dallas Stars.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Trotz said pulling Holtby was designed to be a wake-up call to the Capitals and not a slight to Holtby.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 19, 2015 Three goals by the Tampa Bay Lightning on 12 shots faced by Holtby gave the netminder the hook. Part of it was deserved, as Hotlby definitely could have gotten the second goal from Andrej Sustr that found its way into the back of the net with barely a reaction as the puck glanced off the pipe and in.
Trotz did have a point in pulling Holtby, however, as the Capitals then went on a unanswered goal streak of five straight that gave them their eighth win in 10 games. Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie both had four-point evenings, with a pair of goals and a pair of assists for the team's top stars.
The captain’s second goal in particular, which tied the game at 3-3 midway through the third, is vintage Ovechkin, an empty space toe-drag with a great finish in a clutch spot. The momentum was already going the Capitals way heading into the third period after surviving a 11-7 shot differential from Tampa Bay in the second. All the Capitals needed was time on the power play, and they got it, scoring three of their five with the extra man.
Washington could have been done and over with, but their resilience off of Trotz’s wake up call sparked them to a successful home win. The Lightning will certainly not give the Capitals that many opportunities on the power play the next time these two teams play.
Scores
Washington Capitals 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Vancouver Canucks 4, Detroit Red Wings 3 (SO)
3 things we learned
1. Conor Sheary, Trevor Daley scored their first goals as Penguins
Offense is still hard to come by in Pittsburgh, but the team's new faces got some time in the spotlight despite the team taking a four-goal loss to the Bruins. Rookie Sheary found himself paired with Sidney Crosby again on the Penguins' top line and benefited from the star's presence, putting away a gorgeous assist from the captain that gave Pittsburgh an early 1-0 lead. Daley found his first on a tying 2-2 slap shot after some creative puck movement from the defenseman kept the Penguins in the attacking zone.
2. Red Wings, Canucks engaged in one of the longest shootouts of the season
It's not nearly as close as the 20 rounder of last season, but late goals from Detroit and Vancouver sentenced their game Friday evening to an eventual shootout. Unlike in regulation, goaltending was the name of the game, as just three goals were scored in the seven rounds it took for the Canucks to emerge victorious. This GIF most certainly describes how Red Wings fans were feeling after their offensive output in the shootout, probably.
that shootout was rough pic.twitter.com/UUs5rLI7HP
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 19, 2015 3. Luongo recorded his 70th shutout in game against Carolina
Roberto Luongo has backstopped the Panthers to one of the lowest goals against per game this season while helping Florida on their current 7-3-0 run.
#FlaPanthers Roberto Luongo stopped ALL 24 he faced tonight for his 70th career shutout! pic.twitter.com/KN6Zs16DpI
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 19, 2015 Impact Moment
Tim Peel literally cannot get out of his own way when it comes to calling games and Derek Dorsett was not pleased with him after he interfered with a Canucks rush.
when you have no choice but to hip check Tim Peel pic.twitter.com/424Z93EMl0
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 19, 2015 Here you can hear Dorsett yelling at Peel to please kindly get out of the way https://t.co/aaOgnVW4x9
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 19, 2015 Stat of the Night
Things are looking pretty rosy in Washington right now.
At 23-6-2 (48 pts), the @washcaps are off to their best start to a season – in terms of wins & points – in the franchise’s 41-year history.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 19, 2015 See More:
