Perreault helps snap losing skid for Caps

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Mathieu Perreault missed Saturday night's loss to Boston due to illness.  One night later, Perreault provided the dose of medicine the Washington Capitals desperately needed, two second period goals, to lift the Caps to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, snapping an 8 game losing skid. 

The beginning of the game, it appeared the Caps would follow in the footsteps of their Saturday night loss, falling behind 2-0 in the first period.  Ottawa's first period tallies came from Ryan Shannon and Chris Kelly as the Sens out shot the Caps 9-8 in the first period.  Washington nearly had a Eric Fehr goal at the end of the first period, but it was washed out because time expired two seconds before the Fehr strike. 

It did not take long for Perrreault to provide the spark.  Just 34 seconds into the second period, Perreault, standing right to the right of the net, deflected in a rebound from a Mike Knuble shot on net, to slip it past Senator's goalie Brian Elliott, and pull the Capitals to within 1, a 2-1 deficit.  The goal was assisted by Knuble and Brooks Laich.   The Caps knotted it up less than one minute later on another in front of the net goal by Eric Fehr, his fifth of the season.  The Fehr goal was assisted by Alex Ovechkin.  Finally, at the 6:55 mark of the second period, Perreault scored his second goal of the game, fourth of the season, on a nearly exact replica of his first tally, standing right in front of the net to the right of Elliott, putting in a rebound and giving the Capitals a 3-2 lead.  It was a power play tally for Perreault.   An Alex Ovechkin goal would be wiped out a minute later because of the puck hitting Ovechkin's skate.  Washington out shot Ottawa 15-10 in the second period. 

Perhaps, one thing the Caps skaters should look at on film is the manner in which Perreault scored.  Both goals came from strong net presence by Perreault, tapping in rebounds.  The Capitals have to get more players willing to plant in front of the net.  Perrreault provided that jolt. 

The Caps and Senators skated to a scoreless third period, backed up by some nifty goal tending by Michal Neuvirth.  Nuevy, starting his second consecutive game, stopped 24 of 26 shots and snapped his personal 5 game losing streak and improving on the season to 13-6-2.  He lowered his GAA to 2.66

Special Teams:

Power play was still a dismal 1 for 6.  Two things I think holding back this power play is too much passing, not enough shots, and little front of net presence.  Caps improve on shots and net presence, power play numbers will increase.  On the other hand, the penalty kill until was incredibly effective, going a perfect 5 for 5 in kills. 

Multi-Point Scorers:

Eric Fehr, 1 goal, 1 assist

Mathieu Perreault, 2 goals

DCPSR Player of the Game:  MATHIEU PERREAULT,  2 goals, game winning goal, 4 shots on net, +1