WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals couldn't get their game back on track in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Here's the full recap and breakdown. Comment your thoughts and join the conversation by signing up for The Hockey News' roundtable.
Third Period
0:00 — 5-2 loss for the Capitals. Second consecutive regulation loss.
1:55 — Jake Neighbours outmuscles John Carlson to put home the empty netter. The Blues lead 5-2 late.
2:55 — Capitals pull Lindgren for the extra attacker.
20:00 — Third period underway. Capitals trail 4-2. There are new forward lines this period.
Ovechkin-Strome-Frank
Protas-Dubois-McMichael
Mangiapane-Eller-Vrana
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh
Second Period
0:00 — After 40, the Capitals trail the Blues 4-2 after goals from Dylan Holloway and Colton Parayko and Connor McMichael. St. Louis holds the 15-13 advantage in shots.
2:01 — Colton Parayko puts one in an empty cage after a scrum in front and the defense losing track of the puck in front of Charlie Lindgren. Blues up 4-2.
2:36 — Just like that, the Blues strike back. A point shot bounces off a chaotic scrum in front, with Dylan Holloway getting credit for the goal. It's 3-2 Blues, and the Capitals take their timeout.
3:05 — After the power play expires, Connor McMichael fires a shot past Joel Hofer to even the score. It's 2-2.
3:31 — Nothing on that attempt for the Capitals, but some decent looks.
5:31 — Washington will head to a much-needed power play. Need to get something going. Top-6 got a makeover with Taylor Raddysh and Aliaksei Protas swapping lines.
10:28 — Strong kill for D.C.
12:28 — Capitals will head to the penalty kill. Andrew Mangiapane takes a roughing penalty for jumping in on a scrum after the whistle.
15:11 — A good shift of pressure from that top line, and it's obvious Alex Ovechkin is hungry. Joel Hofer with a big save, though.
20:00 — We're back for the second. Blues up 2-1.
First Period
0:00 — After 20, the Capitals trail the Blues 2-1 after goals from Philip Broberg (x2) and Pierre-Luc Dubois. St. Louis leads 8-5 in SOG.
2:15 — Philip Broberg gets an opportunity alone in tight and dekes past Charlie Lindgren, who missed the poke check, for his second of the game. Blues lead 2-1.
4:56 — The Capitals tie things up as Pierre-Luc Dubois dekes to finish off a nice passing play from Taylor Raddysh and Connor McMichael. 1-1
8:46 — Philip Broberg fires one home backdoor. It's 1-0 Blues.
10:36 — Capitals can't convert on the power play. A couple of looks, but Blues did a good job limiting time, space and clean setups. Some tough turnovers led to some dangerous chances for the Blues, too. Still 0-0
12:36 — Capitals to the power play.
17:06 — Charlie Lindgren came out to play the puck and prevent a surefire breakaway for St. Louis. Fired it down the ice onto the tape of Alex Ovechkin, but the play was broken up. Still, impressive.
20:00 — The puck is dropped and Capitals-Blues is underway.
Pregame
6:50 p.m. — Jakub Vrana, Brandon Duhaime and Nic Dowd start up front, with Martin Fehervary and Matt Roy manning the blue line. Charlie Lindgren between the pipes.
6:30 p.m. — Tom Wilson is out with illness, and Jakub Vrana will draw back into the lineup. Here are the combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Taylor Raddysh
Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Ethen Frank
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Jakub Vrana
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Charlie Lindgren
Logan Thompson
We have everything else to know here in our preview:
