In a vacuum, last night’s loss could be chalked up to just one of those nights where the team played hard and just came up a little short. Because the Capitals did play well overall and it was an entertaining, closely matched game from start to finish (with a bit of scrappiness mixed in) – pretty much what we’ve come to expect from Caps-Bolts games in recent years.
Unfortunately, it’s not in a vacuum and instead feels extra frustrating. It’s another missed opportunity at two points in another close game, another night where the offense seems to dry up at the worst time and the special teams are anything but, and their sixth loss in the last seven games overall.
Oof.
But let’s talk about where it went wrong in this one game – and no, it wasn’t special teams (although they did fail to score on their single power play opportunity and gave up a goal on their one-and-change times shorthanded). Thanks to a nice goal by Brandon Duhaime early and some luck by way of a Tampa own goal in the second, this was a 2-2 tie heading into the final frame of regulation.
One shot either way could turn the tide…and unfortunately that one shot came from the wrong side. A neutral-zone turnover by the Caps sent the Lightning back into their offensive zone, with Dominic James carrying the puck. Despite being surrounded by Caps’ players, he was able to pass the puck to Brandon Hagel, both of them largely untouched in the process, and Hagel unleashed a shot past Logan Thompson for the go-ahead goal – one that Thompson admitted he probably should have had:
Considering how well the Caps had been playing defensively up to that point, it’s frustrating to have that end up as the eventual game-winner. Also frustrating that they couldn’t get the equalizer despite dominating the attack while technically on the penalty kill in the final minutes (although Thompson was on the bench for the extra attacker) and getting the benefit of a league-instituted offside review and overturn of what looked like Tampa’s fourth of the night.
Again, all of those things, in a vacuum? It’s just one of those nights. But on top of everything we’ve seen out of them in the last few weeks, it becomes less “one of those nights” and more a pattern that needs to be sorted out – and quickly.
Next up, a little break before tackling the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh on Tuesday. Doesn’t get any easier from here, kids. Buckle up.
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