Every point for Washington is now worth its weight in gold. There are only six points left for the playoff zone, but the game and the results of the capital team leave much to be desired.
Arizona, having started the season successfully, quickly returned to a state of crisis. The terrible losing streak, which amounts to 14 games, was interrupted only in the Coyotes’ last game. At the time, the Coyotes were 17 points out of eighth place in the conference and effectively lost any chance of making the playoffs. Also: In 2024, only Chicago scored fewer points than Arizona.
And now the “coyotes” came to “Washington”, which in the previous direct confrontation, at the beginning of December, was unexpectedly defeated 0-6.
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The match began with the Capitals attacking. However, in the eighth minute, the capital’s team got so carried away with playing in a foreign zone that they completely forgot about defense. The Washington forward made a cut and Dylan Guenther, who intercepted the puck, put Logan Cooley one-on-one with Charlie Lindgren with a pinpoint pass. Throw – 1:0!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
In the 15th minute, Washington almost tied the score, successfully rushing to the attack. Alexey Protas received the puck on the right flank and swung it to no avail. Connor McMichael shot into an empty net, but Arizona goalie Karel Weimelka saved the goal with a super jump!
“This is not Bruce Lee, this is Weymelka! “My God!” – exclaimed one of the commentators at the meeting.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
The first half ended with another goal scored. Barrett Hayton sent the puck into an empty corner in Lindgren’s possession, but the referees rightly disallowed the goal; a couple of moments earlier, the Coyotes hockey player hit the Capitals goalie on the spot.
In the first minute of the second half, Alexander Ovechkin had a chance to score. The Washington captain escaped one by one, kept the puck in the wrong place and threw it: again Veymelka saved!
And in the 25th minute, Arizona scored the second goal. The Capitals, playing shorthanded, were unable to get the puck out of their zone. The Coyotes made a tackle, Nick Schmaltz passed left to Dylan Guenther, who passed right to Jason Zucker. The striker found himself with an empty goal: 2-0! The defenders left Lindgren at the mercy of the opponent, but Arizona played the puck brilliantly.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
Literally the next moment, Washington almost lost the power play. It was two for one and only the crossbar saved the capital team.
In the 27th minute, the Capitals entered the zone, Ovechkin received a pass on the right flank near the boards and sharply passed it into touch, from there Sonny Milano put the puck in the goal! 1:2!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
Ovechkin extended his scoring streak to three games and now has 45 (17+28) points. In addition, the Washington captain approached Paul Coffey on the list of top scorers in NHL history (1,530 vs. 1,531), and also closed the gap with Joe Thornton in terms of points, taking into account the playoffs (1,671 vs. . 1,673). ).
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However, the “capital” team could not rejoice for long. Just 43 seconds later, Arizona scored its third goal. Michael Kesselring received a pass on the right wing and shot (3:1). Everything seemed very simple.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
And in the 39th minute came the height of Washington’s horrors in the game. Arizona played the majority. Gunter received a pass on the right wing and crossed into the area. There, the Capitals’ most experienced defenseman, John Carlson, attempted to break up the pass…and put the puck into his own goal!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
The third period started strong. Dylan Strome passed the ball to Anthony Mantha, who shot hard – 2:4!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
The capitals continued to press. In one of the attacks, Ovechkin became so excited that he literally “pushed” his opponent towards the goal with a forceful movement. At the end of the third half, the capital had several dangerous chances, but was unable to take advantage of them. And in the last minute we conceded the fifth goal into an empty net.
As a result, Washington made life difficult again and put a brake on its wheels. With each defeat, the capital team moves further and further away from the playoff zone.
