Eschewing their recent trend of slow starts and lackadaisical efforts, the Washington Capitals knocked off the Ottawa Senators Monday night by a score of 5-4 (SO). McMichael, Dubois, Wilson, and Fehrevary all scored for Washington, with Dubois getting three points on the night and Wilson ultimately finishing with a Gordie Howe hat trick. Logan Thompson stopped 33 of 37 shots, as well as all three Ottawa shooters in the shootout.
Capitals' broadcaster Joe Beninati mentioned during the broadcast that the team came into this game in a "bad mood," and it showed in the early going. Washington wasted no time getting on the board, with Connor McMichael burying a shot by Martin Fehervary that trickled past Sens' goaltender Linus Ullmark. Barely two minutes later, Pierre-Luc Dubois beat Ullmark in the low slot on a McMichael pass.
The period was later capped off with a fight between Tom Wilson and Brady Tkachuk near the end.
The second period saw Ottawa matching Washington's energy. Both teams traded chances in a back-and-forth affair. A power play opportunity gave Tom Wilson his 27th goal of the season, and the Capitals a 3-0 lead. Later in the period, Shane Pinto finished off a backdoor pass from Jake Sanderson to cut the Washington lead to 3-1.
The third period began with Ottawa on the power play and they did not squander the opportunity, with Claude Giroux scoring to make it a 3-2 game. Ottawa's energy continued, and they controlled the play for long stretches of play. Eventually Shane Pinto tipped home his second of the night, tying the game up at 3.
While the Senators held the momentum after the tying goal, eventually the Capitals were able to retake the lead off a hardworking play by Wilson which led to a feed and a one-timer by Fehrevary for a 4-3 lead.
Ottawa continued pushing through the remainder of the game however, and eventually a Capitals' delay of game (puck over the glass) penalty sent Ottawa to a late power play, and ultimately a tying goal courtesy of Brady Tkachuk.
In overtime, a Capitals penalty for too many men led to a power play for the Senators. Luckily for Washington, Logan Thompson was able to make several key saves and hold off the surging Sens. Ultimately overtime would not be enough hockey to solve this game, and we'd need a shootout to get a resolution.
In the skills competition, Thompson and Ullmark kept both teams out of the net (including two beautiful saves by Thompson) until Dylan Strome faked out Ullmark for a goal on the backhand. Giroux was denied on the following shot, securing the 5-4 SO win for Washington.
The Capitals are back in action on Wednesday at New York against the Rangers.