What To Know: Protas Dominates, Capitals Bounce Back With Win Over Islanders
Here's everything to know from the Washington Capitals' bounceback win over the New York Islanders.
It was the Aliaksei Protas show on the Island on Saturday.
Protas was all over the ice on Saturday, and it was his two-goal performance that helped power the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 win.
Here’s everything to know from the victory.
Aliaksei Protas is hungry to show that last season’s breakout wasn’t a fluke, and if Saturday is any indication, he’s right. The 24-year-old was a force to be reckoned with, skating hard, getting to the right areas and making smart decisions with the puck.
His first goal came when he got to the open space in the slot and fired home a turnover forced by Jakob Chychrun, and his second came after he forced Tony DeAngelo to fumble the puck and then raced after it down the ice for a breakaway tally. Protas nearly had a hat trick on two occasions — at the end of the second on a 3-on-1, but was stonewalled by Ilya Sorokin, and late in the third on a tip, but it hit the post. He also picked up a helper in the victory.
Protas leads the Capitals in scoring through the first two games with four points.
Alex Ovechkin is still looking for his first goal of the season as he sits three goals away from 900, but he did get his first point of the season, as Martin Fehervary scored off Ovechkin’s rebound early in the first.
Ryan Leonard got his first regular-season goal on an NHL goaltender, as his shot at the end of a power-play opportunity went off an Islanders defenseman and past Ilya Sorokin. While Leonard’s goal didn’t count as a power-play goal, it was a breakthrough for that second unit, which has been impressive on the man advantage through these first two games.
That said, there’s still ways to go on the power play, but it’s only two games, and process-wise, it’s looking better. They just have to execute.
Chychrun also continues his impressive start to the campaign, as he picked up two assists while being a catalyst on offense. He was a plus-3, too.
Another defenseman who deserves stick taps: Fehervary. Not only did he score, but he was a force to be reckoned with all night, throwing his weight around, battling along the boards and taking good care of the puck. He also led the team with four blocks.
Overall, the Capitals looked much better in the neutral zone and in transition, two areas where they struggled in the opener. The lines also seemed to be clicking better, though there’s still some room for improvement on that third line, which got trapped at times, though Anthony Beauvillier had his share of chances.
Now, it’s about maintaining consistency through 60 minutes, but as mentioned, it’s only two games into the season.
Logan Thompson looked strong in his second game of the season, stopping 24 of 26 shots. The penalty kill does leave a bit to be desired, though, as it went 1-for-3 in front of Thompson.
Anthony Duclair’s first PPG came right off the face-off, giving Thompson not much of a chance, and the second power-play goal, courtesy of Matthew Schaefer, came after a series of errors in front and controversial handpass from Bo Horvat into Thompson’s pad.
While coach Spencer Carbery challenged, the goal stood, as Horvat’s play didn’t meet the handpass criteria.