The Senators triumphed over the Capitals with a score of 4-3, showcasing an initial spark but faltering in the latter parts of the game.
On New Year’s Day, the Washington Capitals found themselves in a challenging position, having less than 24 hours to travel to Ontario to compete against a well-rested Ottawa Senators squad. They managed to muster enough energy for a strong first period, but unfortunately for them, modern hockey now demands performance across three full periods.
During that promising first period, Tom Wilson continued his impressive weekend streak by scoring his 22nd goal of the season following an active shift. Dylan Strome also contributed by netting a power-play goal, and yes, you read that correctly – he took it straight to the top shelf.
However, the second period was a different story altogether. Former Capital Nick Jensen capitalized on a rebound off the crossbar to score, followed by a misstep from goaltender Logan Thompson, who inadvertently scored on himself with just 30 seconds left in the frame.
As the third period unfolded, Stephen Halliday assisted David Perron in securing a go-ahead goal early on. With only four minutes remaining in regulation, Aliaksei Protas managed to tie the game, thanks to assists from Wilson and Sourdif. But the drama didn’t end there, as Fabian Zetterlund burned the Caps on a fast break, clinching the victory for Ottawa with the game-winning goal.
Despite their struggles, the Capitals did have a bright spot during the first period, where they played aggressively and with physicality. Even Justin Sourdif got involved in some hard-hitting action. The intensity ramped up before the opening face-off when Wilson and Brady Tkachuk exchanged words. Personally, I enjoyed every moment of that opening period, except for the part when I feared for Aliaksei Protas's season after he took a hard hit from Artem Zub.
Fortunately, Protas returned before the period ended and went on to score in the third. I was impressed by Strome’s willingness to step up for him, and I admired how Sourdif defended his ground. Overall, it was a thrilling start to the game, apart from Shane Pinto’s shorthanded opportunity.
In contrast, the Senators regrouped for the second period and reversed the momentum. Goalie Logan Thompson faced an overwhelming 14 scoring chances during that timeframe alone. To put it into perspective: in the first period, the Capitals controlled 87.8% of the five-on-five expected goals, but in the second, the Senators flipped the script and held 85.4% of those expectations. The third period mirrored the second, indicating a continuing trend.
In a lighthearted note from the out-of-town scoreboard, Cole Hutson made his return.
Regarding Thompson’s own-goal, the Senators cheekily tweeted, "WAY TO GET IT DONE," but that feels more like gaining experience points when the main objective has already been derailed due to a glitch. It raises questions about who truly earned that goal, Ridly Greig. Should we reconsider the spelling of your name?
Looking at the overall picture, with the own-goal, the Perron tally, and an additional goal that was disallowed shortly thereafter, it was not exactly Thompson’s finest performance. He has now allowed four or more goals in four of his last five outings.
I’m feeling a mix of happiness and forced cheer for Nick Jensen. After being a healthy scratch in the recent 4-1 defeat against Columbus, his goal today suggests he may have earned his place back in the lineup.
Now, let’s take a look at the ice time for Hendrix Lapierre, which stood at a mere 7:12. This situation is clearly dysfunctional, prompting the Caps' front office to step in and address this issue.
As the new year begins, it’s the same old story with Joe and Craig, and their commentary remains consistent.
In summary, while the Capitals enjoyed a strong first period, they appeared fatigued by the third, especially when contrasted with the Senators’ speed. Zetterlund’s goal encapsulated the entire game’s narrative – the Caps simply couldn’t keep pace with the Senators’ quick transitions.
On one hand, this matchup could be deemed a scheduled loss. Yet, on a deeper level, many would argue that this was a game the Capitals could have potentially won but ultimately squandered. With just one day off before facing the Hawks at home, fans are left to ponder: What needs to change for the Capitals to turn their fortunes around?
