The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers played a pretty crummy game Thursday night that neither team particularly deserved to win. Since the NHL makes them play it out anyway, the Flyers got a power play goal in overtime courtesy of Matt Niskanen’s hooking penalty. Oh well, Caps have taken a point in like 239 straight games or something (actually, 14 out of 15), so who cares about leaving one point on the table in January.
Am I cranky?
First Star: Alex Ovechkin. Seems like he’s the first star every time I do one of these things. Maybe that’s because he’s one of the two or three best players in the world today. His power play goal in the first period, his 21st of the season, was his fifth in five games. On pace for his normal 40-plus goals for the season. So much for Barry Trotz’ system holding him back. And the myth that he’s a “different player”? Don’t get me started.
Second Star: Mike Green. Two assists, six shots. A renaissance season from Green, one that — if he stays healthy — will earn him some very big money very soon.
Third Star: Braden Holtby. Playing in his team-record 23rd straight game, Holtby made 30 saves and can’t really be faulted for giving up a rebound goal, a goal on a funny bounce off the back boards or a 4-on-3 overtime goal. He’s been the rock for this team of late and he was frankly the biggest reason this team had a chance to steal two points Thursday.
Goat of the night: Gotta be Matt Niskanen, right? I mean, the play in question was a tough call, but Niskanen put himself in a bad situation, then had to act badly to not leave his goalie high-and-dry. The Caps have now taken penalties in five overtime periods this season, four of which led to goals and losses, which I’m proclaiming to be some sort of record.