Hello All,
We made it! The Washington Capitals kicked off their 2020-2021 NHL Season with a 6-4 regulation win at Buffalo.
Here are ALL Capitals goals scored in the game:
1st Period
Goal: Nicklas Backstrom (1), 5:43
Assists: Ovechkin (1), Oshie (1)
Score: WSH 1, BUF 0
Goal: T.J. Oshie (1), 10:33 – Power Play
Assists: Ovechkin (2), Carlson (1)
Score: WSH 2, BUF 1
2nd Period
Goal: John Carlson (1),
Assists: Oshie (2), Backstrom (1)
Score: WSH 3, BUF 1
Goal: Brenden Dillon (1), 13:23
Assists: Sheary (1), Eller (1)
Score: WSH 4, BUF 1
3rd Period
Goal: Jakub Vrana (1), 0:46
Assists: Unassisted
Score: WSH 5, BUF 3
Goal: Garnet Hathaway (1), 18:57 - Empty Netter
Assists: Jensen (1);
Score: WSH 6, BUF 4
Here are my takeaways:
1. Newly formed first-line clicks early – The first three goals by the were scored and/or by first line guys. Of the nine player points awarded, eight of them were given to either Ovechkin (2), Backstrom (2), and Oshie (3). Carlson scored the third goal. Peter Laviolette put Oshie on the first line and it paid dividends right away this game. I was not sure how this game would go and how the lines would click but this line looked smooth, in sync, and in mid-season form already. The Capitals collectively put pucks to the net and had plenty of bodies down low.
2. The Defensemen produce Offense, man! - Laviolettte is known for bringing defensemen up into the play and there were many instances of that tonight. It was evidently a different style than anything we have seen in recent years. John Carlson’s goal was the result of playing up in the offense. Brenden Dillon also added a tally in the second period. Dillon was pointless in his 10 games played with Washington after they acquired him last season. It was nice to see him get on the board in the first game of the season. First-year Laviolette coached teams are typically among the elite of the league in terms of team offense. While last night is just one game, six goals is a solid start (one was an empty-netter). While the defense contributed offensively, the actual defensive performance was very sloppy. The Capitals looked lost at times. I noticed this both on 5v5 but especially when the Capitals were down a man. The Sabres scored a relatively easy power play goal and also added a relatively easy 6on5 tally. This is to be expected in the first game of the season with no preseason and a limited camp.
3. Samsonov’s first start of the season – I thought Samsonov looked OKAY. I blame the sloppiness of the game and defense that attributed to a handful of high-danger chances for the Sabres that they mostly converted. Samsonov let in four goals on 26 shots. Not ideal but he has to be happy with the win and it will give him more confidence moving forward. NBC Sports Washington gave Samsonov a “B” grade for this performance. Laviolette is not known for rotating goalies however we might see Vitek Vanecek tomorrow, its too early to call. I would love to see Vanecek tomorrow.
All in all, I was very happy with Capitals effort last night, no team is going to play a perfect game on opening night in a shortened COVID season. The Sabres showed some grit last night. The cut the Capitals 4-1 lead to 4-3 and also cut the 5-3 lead to 5-4. With how sloppy the defense was playing, I was hanging on the edge of my seat in the final minutes of the game, that’s for sure. The Sabres are a younger team compared to the Capitals. Expect the same Sabres to come out hard tomorrow night on home ice.
Random notes from the game:
-Jakub Vrana continued his hot streak against Buffalo with his goal tonight. Including last season, Vrana has three goals in three games against the Sabres.
-Jake McCabe had a Gordy Howe hat-trick. He had a goal, an assist, and fought Brenden Dillon (and lost).
-Capitals Player of the Game: T.J. Oshie – 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 3 shots on goal
-Washington Capitals 4th straight season opening victory
-The last time the Washington Capitals opened a season against Buffalo was October 7th, 1981
I will see you all tomorrow for the second game of a back-to-back. Lets go Caps!
*Embedded provided by the Washington Capitals official Twitter Page*
*Some statistical references were also mentioned during the NBC Sports Washington Broadcast*
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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