The Washington Capitals were eager to end a two-game slide and get back to the winning ways they knew so well to start the season. And while it wouldn’t be easy against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers — and with Alex Ovechkin still on the shelf — they delivered.
Jakob Chychrun and Lars Eller starred on offense for Washington, and Logan Thompson won a goaltending duel with Spencer Knight en route to a huge 4-1 win.
Here are the takeaways from the victory in Sunrise:
Jakob Chychrun Serves As Catalyst On Offense, Eller Strikes Twice
Over the last two games, the Capitals’ offense has seen a sharp decline as it figures things out with the captain in tow. And as Spencer Carbery changed the forward lines up, it was the blue line that got D.C. on the scoresheet.
Jakob Chychrun was the main driver of scoring, assisting on Lars Eller’s first goal since rejoining Washington, making a crisp pass to him in the front to even the score in the first period.
He also helped hold down the fort defensively and shut down Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe and more, but he wasn’t done contributing there.
On a third-period, 5-on-3 power play, Chychrun picked up a feed from Tom Wilson and fired a point shot past Spencer Knight to give D.C. the 2-1 lead. His sixth goal of the season would stand as the game-winner.
The 26-year-old, who grew up a Panthers season ticket holder, has four points in his last five games and continues to be a vital part of the blue line, while also helping power the offense with his booming shot and high hockey IQ.
Eller added an empty-netter for a two-goal game.
Logan Thompson Shuts Down Panthers, Defense Comes Up Big
Logan Thompson has been one of the league’s top-performing netminders to start the season, and Monday was no different.
The 27-year-old was stellar between the pipes, stopping 21 of 22 shots en route to his 11th win on the season.
He came up big time and time again, flashing the glove and moving quick in the crease to shut down Florida’s top brass.
Washington also did a good job of limiting the Panthers’ time and space, while also blocking 13 shots and playing a smart, cautious game. Ivan Miroshnichenko also stepped up himself in the final seconds of play, potting his first of the season on the empty net to seal the deal.
D.C. also outshot Florida, 31-22.
Special Teams Continues To Shine
The Capitals haven’t been the most disciplined of late, and after faltering the last couple of games on the penalty kill, they bounced back to their more familiar form on the road on Monday.
Washington went 4-for-4 on the kill as the team’s PK is operating well over 95 percent on the road this season. The Capitals’ kill also ranks in the top-4 league-wide.
Also, the power play is still surging despite Ovechkin’s absence, with goals in back-to-back games and five of the last six overall.
Top Shelf Takes
– Tom Wilson has assists in back-to-back games.
– Dylan Strome picked up his 23rd assist of the season and is up to 29 points. He has not gone more than two games without a point this season.