Caps win, Sabres Lose, All is Good!
We are covering the Washington Capitals versus Montreal Canadians game right here at DC Pro Sports Report. With the loss for the Buffalo Sabres last night, the Capitals control their own fate. They can take a big step tonight by defeating the Montreal Canadians. We anxiously welcome back Nicklas Backstrom, returning from a head concussion. Backstrom hasn't taken the ice since January 3. It's Backstrom time in DC!
As for the net, Caps will go with Michal Nuevirth, with Tomas Vokoun sidelined with injury again. Vokoun left last game in the first period with an injury, his first game back.
Caps go to an early power play just 1:22 into the game. Alexander Semin was fed in the middle but, lost control of the puck. Caps get a couple of opportunities, but fail to score on the first power play. Caps get on the board first with a beautiful feed from Semin to Mathieu Perreault. Caps lead 1-0 early in the first period. Caps go to the second power play of the game at the 13:50 mark. Caps go 0-2 on the power play. Through 13 minutes Caps are looking energized and getting nice net work by Michal Neuvirth. Caps going to their third power play of the game. Caps getting ready to put up another zero on the PP, 0-3. Caps go up 2-0! 3 on 2 rush and a Matt Hendricks feed to Jay Beagle. WoooHooo. Caps are going to the penalty kill. Caps successfully kill the penalty despite nice chances for Montreal. Eric Cole scores with just 21 seconds left to pull Habs within 1. First period ends. CAPS lead 2-1.
Second period underway in DC. Montreal is on the power play. Caps got a nice short handed 2 on 1 but failed to convert. Caps kill penalty. Big time save by Neuvirth. Half way through an uneventful second period. Neuvirth with another incredible save, down to the split and a sweet glove grab. Habs tie it up at the 5:29 mark, courtesy of a defensive turnover. Tied at 2-2. Neuvirth bails Caps out with a nice save. Second period ends knotted at 2-2.
Third period underway. Caps are going back to the penalty kill, Dennis Wideman with the trip. Big PK for the Caps here. Michal Neuvirth making some terrific saves on this PK. Capitals kill off the penalty. Caps are going to the power play. Caps failed the power play. Caps getting some shots on net, but not capitalizing. Caps go to the power play. Caps go 0-5 on the man advantage. Caps now go to the penalty kill. Caps successful on the PK. This one is going to overtime!
With 39.7 to play, looking like a shootout. We are heading to shootout!
Matt Hendricks - GOOD SWEET! 8 for 12 Montreal- NO GOOD Alex Ovechkin - No Good Montreal - NO GOOD Alexander Semin - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
CAPS WIN!
Buffalo Watch: Leafs put up a tally in the first period and lead the Sabres 1-0. 4 minutes left in first period, Leafs still lead 1-0. First period ends with Leafs 1-0 lead. Half way through the second period, Leafs still blanking Sabres 1-0. Sabres tie it up 1-1. Game is in second period with 8 minutes left. Leafs score. Take the lead over Buffalo 2-1. End of second period, Leafs lead 2-1. Leafs take a 3-1 lead. Sabres scored with 12:50 left in third period. Trail the Leafs 3-2. Toronto scores on the power play to up the lead to 4-2 with 9 minutes to go. Just 6 minutes to go, and Leafs still lead 4-2. Buffalo is down to final three minutes trailing 4-2. Buffalo tallies and now trails by one, 4-3 with 2:20 left.
BUFFALO LOSES!
