Caps' Tomas Vokoun shutouts his former team
Last night was the Tomas Vokoun show. And Caps fans loved it.
Tomas Vokoun stopped all 20 shots against his former team, the Florida Panthers, top record his first shutout of the season and extend his winning streak to four consecutive wins, a 3-0 Southeast Division win. The caps remained only one of two (Detroit Red Wings, 4-0-0) unbeaten teams in the NHL, improving to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history.
Washington’s first marker came on a power play opportunity as Marcus Johansson buried it past Florida net minder Jacob Markstrom, on his left side. It was Johansson’s 3rd tally of the season and his fourth point, after being a health scratch in the Caps opener. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom picked up the assists. Backstrom recorded his 5th assist in the first 5 games.
The second Washington Goal came off the stick of Alexander Semin, just shy of the 2 minute mark of the second period, scoring on a nasty wrister. It was Semin’s second marker of the season. Dennis Wideman and Mike Knuble added the helpers. The final tally came on an empty net opportunity by Jason Chimera, his whopping 4th goal of the season.
Vokoun stopped all 20 shots to record his 45th career shut out. Florida fans should feel pretty good about last night, even though they76 walked out in defeat. Markstrom, making his NHL debut in net, played a pretty damn good game. Markstrom made some pretty nifty saves on a Caps team that finally brought a full 60- minute effort and consistent net pressure. The big net minder held his own in net behind a defense that got dominated in their own zone.
Multi-PointScorers:
Alexander Semin, 1 goal, 1 assist
DCPSR Player of the Game:
THOMAS VOKOUN, stopped 20 of 20, winning his fourth straight and his first shutout of the season
Extra Points:
* Although Alex Ovechkin did not add a goal last night, Caps fans have to be happy with his performance. Ovechkin played with consistent intensity and got so0me nice shots on Jacob Markstrom.
* Nicklas Backstrom is on a quiet tear. In the first 5 games, Backstrom has 6 pointys, 1 goal and 5 assists. His 6 assists is tied for second in the young season.
* Jason Chimera's empty net goal gives him 4 on the season and the team lead. Funny thing is, he has no assists yet this season. Chimera thge socring machine. Feed him! Feed Him!
* After being held out of the first game as a healthy scratch, Marcus Johnasson received the signal. he has 3 goals in the last 4 games. You have to also love the speed he brings to the Caps and the rushes aroudnm they net that are adding up to points.
* We are used to a second half Mike Knuble, but, Knuble has quietly racked up 4 points in his first five games.
* Alexander Semin extended his point streak to three games. he has 1 goal and 3 assists over the last 3 games.
* Think the Caps missed Dennis Wideman in the playoffs off last season? Wideman has recorded an assist in three of the first five Caps games and scored 2 goals in the other 2 games. Wideman is becomign the Caps scoring threat on defense.
* Washington's win keeps the tied with Pittsburgh atop the Eastern Conference and extends their Southeast Division lead to 3 points over Carolina.
