Maybe Barry Trotz knew what he was doing.
Just days after saying one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard an NHL coach say - that Kevin Shattenkirk isn't a top pairing defenseman, the Rangers new defenseman had a terrible game and was a huge advantage to the Washington Capitals.
Of course, there is no way what Trotz said can be true since the NHL has 60 some top-pairing defensemen, and Shattenkirk has been the 11th highest scoring defenseman, and has the 35th best goal differential (again, for defensemen) over the last five years.
Regardless, Trotz said it, and maybe he knew what he was doing.
Shattenkirk certainly had a rough game, being on the ice for three of the four Caps goals and looking absolutely brutal on the game winner.
The Caps came out flying (65% 1st period possession) and the Rangers were no match. Or they shouldn't have been. Beagle scored about 15 seconds into the game, and the Capitals were dominant all night, but the Caps barely avoided overtime in this one, scoring with only a couple minutes left in the game.
The Capitals have now won eight of ten games, which is insane considering the team they're icing on most nights - which is basically like five or six superstars and a bunch of guys no one's ever heard of. I exaggerate, but you get my point - it's a weird balance.
The win ties the Capitals for first in the Metro. They've got Saturday off and will resume Monday against the Islanders.
Thanks for reading.