Caps Edge Past Canucks on Road, Face Flames Next
The Washington Capitals’ extended West Coast road swing may have started on a sour note, but they managed to salvage the trip with a pair of hard-fought victories against the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks. While the Caps were outscored 12-6 over the five-game stretch, their resilience shone through as they headed into the final game against the Calgary Flames with a modest two-game winning streak.
Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over the Canucks was particularly impressive, given Vancouver’s formidable 21-7-4 home record and the added significance of T.J. Oshie’s 1,000th career NHL game. After falling behind early to Brock Boeser’s opening shift goal, the Capitals rallied behind Charlie Lindgren’s stellar goaltending and timely goals from Tom Wilson and Alex Ovechkin.
Lindgren, who finished with 22 saves, was particularly sharp in the third period, turning aside all 11 Vancouver shots to preserve the lead. The Capitals’ defensive commitment was evident throughout, as they blocked 20 shots and limited the Canucks’ high-octane offense to few quality chances.
“You look at these games, and they’re meaningful hockey; they’re playoff type hockey for us,” remarked Wilson after the win. “It’s great experience for everyone in the room. We’re rallying together here, we’re playing well, we’re playing for each other, and that’s what it’s all about this time of year. If we keep playing like that, we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”
The Capitals now turn their attention to the Calgary Flames, who are clinging to the fringes of the Western Conference playoff race. While the Flames have faced significant roster turnover since their October meeting with Washington, including the departures of Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev, they have received a boost from rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf.
The 22-year-old Wolf, a seventh-round pick in 2019, has stepped up admirably in the absence of Jacob Markstrom, winning his last two starts against Vegas and Montreal while allowing just three goals. With 97 AHL victories under his belt, Wolf has proven he can handle the rigors of professional hockey, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup with the surging Capitals.
As the regular season winds down, Washington faces a daunting schedule, with 16 games remaining against mostly playoff contenders. Their recent success on the road, however, has instilled a sense of belief that they can navigate this challenging stretch and solidify their postseason positioning.
“It’s huge, it’s huge,” Lindgren said of the Vancouver win. “Obviously we know Vancouver is a really good hockey team, probably a top three team in the whole League. Coming into their building, it shows a lot of character again, just by all 20 guys. It’s just really amazing. We’ll feel good tonight, and then back at it in a couple of days in Calgary.”
With momentum on their side and the leadership of veterans like Ovechkin and Oshie, the Capitals are primed to make a final push towards the playoffs. The upcoming clash with the Flames in Calgary represents another opportunity to build on their recent success and continue their quest for postseason glory.