Well I hate writing recaps for losses and it seems to be a routine as of late. The Caps fell to the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2 tonight for their third straight loss. This loss dropped the Capitals to sixth place in the Eastern Conference behind the Montreal Canadiens.
The first period was scoreless with both teams registering only 5 shots each. Marcus Johansson would be the first on the board when he scored off a lucky deflection beating Ilya Bryzgalov. However 49 seconds later Martin Hanzal would tie things up as the Caps 4th line was caught watching the puck. Later in that period Scott Hannan would take a questionable roughing call and Ray Whitney would make the Caps pay making it 2-1 at the end of the 2nd period.
Vernon Fiddler would put the Caps away with an early goal in the third. Matt Bradley would answer rather quickly, but the Capitals couldn’t seem to find another to even the score before time expired. The Caps lost to the Coyotes 3-2.The most disappointing part of the game was the Caps going 0 for 5 on the power play.
Ovi and Backstrom had numerous chances that just didn’t pass the goal line on the extra man. I think it improved from the last few games, but the Caps still have to crash the net and things will start happening. The positives? We outshot Phoenix 31-18. Michal Neuvirth did not have his best showing only saving 15 of 18 shots. I would blame Neuvy for only one of the goals. The other two goals were simply defensive breakdowns.
The Caps next game doesn’t get any easier facing the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The Ducks have won 4 straight and beat the Caps back in December 2-1 in OT. Hopefully Washington will have more luck against goaltender, Jonas Hiller. The Capitals are struggling and we are depending on the big guns to carry us through the drought. The puck drops at 10 on Wednesday in Anaheim. Keep the faith and Rock the Red!
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