Chychrun stayed red-hot en route to a 5-4 win for the Capitals.
WASHINGTON — Jakob Chychrun has been red-hot for the Washington Capitals to start his tenure in D.C., and he kept it going as he played hero once again in another comeback win, this time against the New York Islanders.
Chychrun had the overtime winner, and Tom Wilson struck twice as Washington rallied for a 5-4 OT win over the Islanders.
Here are all the takeaways from the victory.
Chychrun, Wilson & Capitals Rally Back After Questionable Goaltender Interference Call
It didn't appear early on that the Capitals would be in for another furious comeback game, but a coach's challenge in the second period changed everything for both sides.
The Capitals had been treading water against New York and appeared to take the lead in the second period when John Carlson put home a rebound to make it 3-2. However, he'd find himself under review once again, and ultimately, be on the wrong side of yet another coach's challenge.
Carlson's goal was reviewed for goaltender interference, as Patrick Roy and the Islanders argued that Semyon Varlamov was not able to properly reset with Hendrix Lapierre lurking in the crease. Ultimately, the officials agreed, and the goal was overturned.
The NHL situation rule cited Rule 69.3 as the reason for the decision: "If an attacking player establishes a significant position within the goal crease, so as to obstruct the goalkeeper’s vision and impair his ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed."
"Washington’s Hendrix Lapierre had a significant presence in the crease and impaired Semyon Varlamov’s ability to play his position prior to the puck entering the New York net," the situation room said.
That's the third goal that Carlson has had called back this season, and it also marked a turning point, as New York gained momentum and went up 4-2 going into the third.
However, D.C. would rally. Dylan Strome struck on the power play to make it 4-3 early, and then, minutes later, Tom Wilson, who had ended a lengthy goal drought back on Wednesday, scored his second goal of the game on a nice passing play to even the score.
Jakob Chychrun would then play hero in OT, streaking into the offensive zone and firing a shot past Semyon Varlamov for the victory. He finished with a goal and assist and is on a three-game point streak, with six points over that span.
Power Play Stays Hot
Wilson's first goal of the night came on the man advantage, as he struck from the bumper spot to put D.C. up 2-1 in the first.
It marked the Capitals' fourth straight game with a power-play goal, and the team has now struck on the man advantage in seven of the last eight games overall.
Later on, after a couple of underwhelming PP attempts, Strome scored his second goal in as many games to help kickstart the comeback for Washington.
The Capitals now have 10 power-play goals in the last 10 games and continue to find a spark, even with captain Alex Ovechkin out with a broken leg.
Fourth Line Finding Chemistry, Carbery Tweaks Things
Despite the loss, the fourth line did show promise, as Ivan Miroshnichenko continues get acclimated on that fourth line with Nic Dowd and Brandon Duhaime.
The three combined for a beautiful passing play in the first period, where Miroshnichenko hit Dowd in front right on the tape before Dowd tucked the puck home to even the score early.
Miroshnichenko has two points in four games since being called up with Alex Ovechkin still on the shelf with a broken leg.
Meanwhile, head coach Spencer Carbery tweaked the lines once again, putting Taylor Raddysh on the top line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas while reuniting Connor McMichael, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson on that second trio.
In the third, Dubois got time working with Miroshnichenko, and Nic Dowd got a chance to center Aliaksei Protas and Taylor Raddysh.
Top Shelf Takes
- Jakob Chychrun extended his point streak to three games.
- Connor McMichael had three assists.
- Dylan Strome is on pace for 118 points and has points in three straight games after yet another multi-point performance. He ranks fourth in the NHL in scoring.