Washington Capitals vs Nashville Predators at Capital One Arena

On By Littum

Now that half the country is morbidly depressed, the Washington Capitals are back on the ice to try to unite and cheer us up. Tonight they host Country Music Night at Capital One Arena and will wear their black Screaming Eagle jerseys for the first time this season.

Ooooooooo!

The Hershey Bears’ 2024 Calder Cup championship team will also be honored before the puck drops.

Nashville is dead last in the Central Division, starting the year 4-7-1. GM Barry Trotz has threatened to rebuild if the Preds can’t find their footing quickly.

On the Capital side, Matt Roy returns to the lineup from injury and will play just his second game this season. Logan Thompson will be back in goal.

Fresh RMNB stories straight out of the oven

The Capitals-Hurricanes game will air on the Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. Puck drop is shortly after 19:00.

Lines

Washington capitals

Milan

Lapierre

Mangiapane

Nashville Predators

Forsberg

O’Reilly

Stamkos

Marchessault

Novak

Nyquist

Tunnel Shenanigans

1st period

Bryan Helmer, Patrick Wellar and Nick Bootland were part of the ceremonial faceoff honoring the Bears’ 2024 championship team. No Bears players were on the ice.

Hendrix Lapierre and Dylan McIlrath receive rings as Washington Capitals celebrate Hershey Bears’ 2024 championship team

Puck is lost.

1-0 Nashville Predators. NSH goal: Juuso Parssinen (1). Assists: L. Evangelista (5), P. Tomasino (1). Time: 03:12.

After the Predators have some early pressure, Parssinen finds the back of the net with a tip-in.

1-1 draw. WSH goals: Connor McMichael (8). Assists: M. Roy (1), P. Dubois (6). Time: 04:26.

One minute and 14 seconds later, Connor McMichael takes the team’s lead in goals and buries a juicy rebound just outside the box. Matt Roy got the primary assist and got his first point as a Capital.

On his next shift, Connor McMichael draws a penalty.

Shorthanded takes Gustav Nyquist around the world and almost scores on Logan Thompson on his backhand.

Martin Fehervary gets jumped on a semi-breakaway but can’t beat Saros’ five-hole on his backhand.

Logan Thompson makes a big save, but the slap shot appeared to poke him in the left side near the ribs.

During the break: The Capitals outshoot the Predators 18 to 11 and outshoot them 23 to 14 at five on five.

2. Period

Puck is lost.

The Predators hit the post twice early in the period.

Connor McMichael breaks out but is stopped by Saros.

2-1 Washington Capitals. WSH goals: Aliaksei Protas (5). Assists: A. Ovechkin (8), D. Strome (14). Time: 15:03.

Big foreaching and triangular passing by Strome, Ovechkin and Protas gives the Capitals their first lead of the night.

2-2 draw. NSH goals: Steven Stamkos (3). Assists: A. Carrier (4), R. O’Reilly (7). Time: 15:34.

Thirty-one seconds after the Capitals score, Stamkos answers down the right wing.

During the break: Capitals outshoot Predators 32 to 24 and outshoot them 50 to 42 at five on five.

3rd period

Puck is lost.

Strome misses a layup on the power play. Ohhh NO. The shot hit Saros’ skate and went out of play.

3-2 Washington Capitals. WSH goals: Alex Ovechkin (8). Assists: D. Strome (15), M. Fehervary (2). Time: 10:25.

Alex Ovechkin Career Goal #861!

The Predators score with chaos in front of the net, but the referees announce that it is no goal due to goalie interference. Andrew Brunette challenges the call on the ice. The puck definitely crossed the goal line.

Officials confirm no target. Capitals get a power play and the Predators lose their time out.

The Predators goalkeeper has been withdrawn.

Logan Thompson robs Filip Forsberg with 7.4 seconds left. WOWWWWW.

Capitals win 3-2. They have won 7 consecutive home games. The Caps outshoot the Preds 36 to 35, but Nashville tries them five on five, 66 to 55.

The top line trio remains blazing hot with two more goals: Capitals beat Predators 3-2

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