Capitals 4, Thrashers 1
On the outside of the playoff picture and looking in, the Capitals needed to pick up two points against an inferior (and reeling) Atlanta team last night. The Capitals were up to the challenge, outshooting Atlanta 13-2 in the first period, 16-4 in the second period and 37-12 overall en route to a convincing 4-1 win, picking up a crucial two points on the Carolina Hurricanes, who lost to the Sabres, in the process.
The box score and even the detailed stat sheets don't tell the whole story for this game - were it not for solid goaltending from Kari Lehtonen and the Capitals hitting posts three or four times, this could have been the March 3rd Bruins game all over again. Can the Capitals carry that momentum into Sunday's game against Boston? Let's put it this way - I wouldn't bet against them.
One last thing - quick show of hands: Who still thinks the Peter Bondra for Brooks Laich and a second round pick trade was a bad idea?
DMG's 3 Stars
(1) Brooks Laich - 2 goals, +2, 3 hits
(2) Matt Cooke - 1 goal, 1 assist, +1
(3) Alex Ovechkin - 1 goal, 1 assist
Quick Hits
- The Thrashers telecast kept commenting on how great Tobias Enstrom is and how he doesn't get any Calder buzz because he's a defenseman. Enstrom's line last night: -3, zero shots, zero hits, zero takeaways, zero blocked shots, 2 shot attempts blocked.
- Thrashers' defenseman Garnet Excelby was credited with eight shot blocks
- In addition to his two goals, Brooks Laich led the Capitals in hits with three.
- Sami Lepisto seems good for about one hard hit every game, doesn't he? Not too bad for a player listed at 176 pounds.
- The Capitals had 18 shot attemps blocked - 50% more than the numbers of shots the Thrashers got on net.
- It would have been nice if Milan Jurcina had followed up his physical performance against the Flames with another one against Atlanta, although he didn't play poorly by any means.
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