The Capitals offense kicked it into high gear to force overtime, but it wasn't enough in a 3-2 loss.
The Washington Capitals came into Montreal knowing they had to give everything they had against the Canadiens in an effort to stop the bleeding and turn things around quickly. Ultimately, a hard-fought game and late-night heroics from Dylan Strome would help secure a point, but it wasn't enough to get the result.
Strome struck twice as Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals rallied back from 2-0 to force overtime, but Cole Caufield ended things early in the 3-on-3 extra frame as Washington fell 3-2.
Here are all the takeaways from the defeat as Washington drops to 1-2-1 to open the 2023-24 season:
Ovechkin Turns It On, Strome Strikes Twice As Capitals Leave With Point
Ovechkin said on Friday in Montreal that it was up to him to lead the way and help provide some offense. And on Saturday, he lived up to his words and turned it on, kicking his play into high gear as he helped the team generate quite a few chances.
The 38-year-old, who had been held without a shot in back-to-back games for the first time in his career, led D.C. with five shots on goal (tied with Nicklas Backstrom). He was mobile and making great passes while taking his shots when he got them. It was vintage Ovechkin and the captain that the team had been waiting to see this season.
Ovechkin would ultimately help his team break through and get on the board, as he showed patience and made a great pass across to set up Dylan Strome to make it 2-1 in the second half of the third.
Then, Strome came up huge again in the final two minutes of regulation, picking up a pass after a great zone entry from Evgeny Kuznetsov to force overtime.
Overall, he and the Capitals did the right things, getting to the crease and putting pucks on net. It was also the first time the team managed more than 30 shots, as it managed 32. However, Caufield's wrister after a tough line change for Washington led to the OT loss at Bell Centre.
Special Teams Woes Continue For Capitals, But PK Redeems Self In Penalty-Filled Third
It was another tough night for the Capitals on special teams, as the penalty kill came up short again while the power play failed to convert on any of their multiple chances — though the looks were there.
Washington's penalty kill again gave up a goal, marking the fourth straight game that the team has allowed a power-play goal. The Capitals have also now surrendered the first goal of the game in all of their outings this season.
However, the PK redeemed itself in the third, as Washington took five penalties and saw Beck Malenstyn, John Carlson and Nick Jensen step up big time. The Capitals shut down two 5-on-3 opportunities and drew another penalty on the PK.
Still, the issue remains at the other end, as Washington, despite great opportunities, failed to convert on five power-play opportunities. The Capitals have yet to score a PPG this season and are now 0-for-13 on the year.
Mantha Noticeable In Return To Home Province & Limited Ice Time, Häman Aktell Makes NHL Debut
It's no secret that Anthony Mantha loves playing in his home province, and No. 39 was one of Washington's best skaters in Montreal on Saturday.
Mantha was all over the ice, doing what he could to help his team get things going, as he kept his feet moving, got some quality looks on net and drew a penalty early. However, he ended the night with only 10:02 minutes, the least among forwards.
Another positive of the night: Washington saw a rookie make his NHL debut, as Hardy Häman Aktell appeared in his first NHL game.
The Swede, who had his girlfriend in attendance, skated on the third pairing with Trevor van Riemsdyk. He ended up with one shot and was a minus-1 through eight minutes of ice time.
Top Shelf Takes
- Kuznetsov redeemed himself after a couple of struggles throughout the night. He was on the ice for both goals against, and on Montreal's second of the game, Kuznetsov was caught gliding through neutral and failed to pick up Brendan Gallagher, who crashed the crease and made it past everyone to convert. He did have a good shorthanded chance in the third, though, and ultimately, the game-tying assist.
- Matthew Phillips picked up his second assist of the season and now leads Washington with three points in four games to open the 2023-24 campaign. His three points have come in his last three games.
- Jensen looked stronger on Saturday as he moved up to work with Martin Fehervary.
- Darcy Kuemper stood tall and helped keep the Capitals in it and made some good stops down low. He had 25 saves on 28 shots (.893 save percentage).