Ovechkin postgame WASHINGTON — For a Halloween matchup, there weren't too many thrills to start Thursday's matchup between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens, which started as a low-event game. Then, things took a turn in a wild second, and ultimately, Alex Ovechkin and the young guys would help D.C. outscore their problems for another big win. Ovechkin had a three-point night, while Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael and more chipped in en route to a huge 6-3 victory over Montreal. Here are all the takeaways from the win as the Capitals advance to 7-2-0 on the season. WILSON, CAPITALS END LONG POWER-PLAY DROUGHT AFTER SWITCHING UP PERSONNEL Going into Thursday's tilt, Washington's power play was in a tough spot, going six straight games without a power-play goal and 0-for-21 over that span. Finally, after changing up the personnel once again, the Capitals broke through. They put Tom Wilson back on the top unit with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Alex Ovechkin, while Connor McMichael and John Carlson operated from point position in a new look. On the second attempt of the night, the Capitals delivered, as Wilson tipped an Ovechkin shot in front to end the drought after 22 consecutive failed power plays. The goal marked Wilson's team-leading sixth tally of the season, while Ovechkin and Carlson picked up the assists for points in back-to-back games. DUHAIME & VRANA HELP CAPITALS RALLY BACK IN HIGH-EVENT SECOND PERIOD, DEFENSE FEELS VOID WITHOUT CHYCHRUN & ROY After a quiet first, things took quite the turn in the second. There was a shift in momentum following a disallowed Aliaksei Protas shorthanded goal early on, as Washington went down 2-1 after back-to-back strikes from Cole Caufield (PPG) and Brendan Gallagher. Last season, that may have been synonymous with a kiss of death for D.C., but this year, it was no problem to overcome as Washington quickly rallied to take the lead back. Just 1:14 minutes after Gallagher's goal, Brandon Duhaime won a puck battle and fired a quick shot past Cayden Primeau to even the score. It marked Duhaime's first goal as a Capital. Then, 54 seconds later, Jakub Vrana got to the front of the net and fired a feed from behind the net past Primeau to give the Capitals a 3-2 lead. It marked Vrana's second goal of the season. This is the eighth time in nine games this season that Washington has managed at least three goals in a game as offense continues to come easily for them. While the Capitals were able to get three against the Canadiens, Montreal would even the score going into the third, with Nick Suzuki beating Charlie Lindgren. It was a rough night on the backend with Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy both missing due to injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-notebook-alexeyev-lindgren-chychrun-roy-montreal-canadiens]. Luckily, the offense was able to compensate with a big third period. MCMICHAEL, PROTAS & OVECHKIN STEP IN THIRD, PENALTY KILL COMES UP BIG Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas have been forces to be reckoned with for Washington this season, and after teaming up for a denied shorthanded goal earlier in the game, they wouldn't be denied as they helped lift the Capitals to a win in the third. McMichael restored the lead early in the third for D.C., getting to the front of the net and sliding a rebound past Primeau to make it a 4-3 game. McMichael has nine points in his last six games and has found the scoresheet in all but two games this season as he produces at over a point-per-game pace. Just 36 seconds later, Protas got a goal of his own, picking up a beautiful slap pass from Ovechkin and banking a shot off a defenseman and in to give Washington a two-goal lead. He'd return the favor later in the third, feeding Ovechkin for career goal No. 858, putting him just 37 away from Wayne Gretzky as he scored his third goal in two games. Ovechkin is on pace for 46 goals this season, which would have him passing Gretzky later this season if he stays on this course. Meanwhile, Protas has five points in his last two games and continues to be a top contributor. After that, the Capitals were buzzing in the third period, spending a good amount of time in the offensive zone and getting plenty of chances, but in the second half of the frame, it was time to step up on the penalty kill with Duhaime and Wilson taking back-to-back penalties and Caufield, Suzuki and Hutson lurking. Washington did just that, with Protas and more coming up with big blocks to shut down Montreal en route to the win. The PK ultimately went 5-for-6 on the night. TOP SHELF TAKES - Trevor van Riemsdyk picked up two assists and now has helpers (4) in three of his last four games. His sixth assists are tied with John Carlson for the most by a Capitals defenseman this season. - Taylor Raddysh also picked up a helper and has points in three of his last four outings. - Dylan Strome added two helpers and leads with 13 points in nine games this season. He has points in all but one outing for Washington this year. - Wilson also had an assist and fight, marking his first career Gordie Howe hat trick.
