Brian Sickles: WSH 5, NYR 1 - Ovechkin and Special Teams Propel Capitals over Rangers

Congrats on tying the knot my friend!!

Ill take your tickets when the Devils come to DC

Well, that wasn't the step forward we were looking for!
A decent start and then IDK. The Caps were certainly the better team, but I feel like NY just got in their own way (once literally!). Lots of physical play, but just too easy for Washington where and when it mattered.
You guys always seem to start off the right way! Good luck!

I was hoping the Flames took Lapierre with their first rounder in his draft. Wishing nothing but the best for the kid. The joy on his face last night after he scored was awesome.

Great game for Ovie, I hope he breaks the record. Great game for Lapierre as well.

Hey, welcome back! Congrats on the move to DC and the upcoming nuptials. I was starting to thing the few of us Caps fans lurking here might be out of luck - or worse, that I might try my hand at churning one of these out (which would probably just turn into a gut-reaction-homer’s take, and no one needs that haha)

I agree with the quick notes on the game: Ovi always seems to ball out at the start of a new season and hopefully that continues and he can get 10 in the first 10. If penalties are going to called at this clip all season I like his odds of reaching 40 - even giving him 10 maintenance games off. I don’t like the idea of winning regular season games because of power-play alone, we’ve seen what happens then.

Vitek looked strong. Everyone mentions Kuzy year after year as the x-factor to a season, but VV is a dark horse candidate this year, I think. Something about Sammy is off and maybe always has been for me. VV just seems to handle the role better. Snagging him back was seen as a slick move at the time, but may just be the move that keeps this team a playoff team when times get tough later in the season.

To keep age from catching up with them at the end of the season (especially with Olympics participation) the Caps need to play their youth/depth and learn to keep games tight and win without Ovi/Osh/Backs/Carlson in the lineup. Lapierre played well, as did Fehervy - I also liked Jensen’s game last night.

The Rangers aren’t quite the best measuring stick here. Over-hyped game that, honestly, the Rangers had no real chance in. They need some time to gel.

But good to get off on the right foot, and if this is what it’s gonna be like witnessing Gretzky watching Ovi chase his record and being asked about it every nationally broadcast Caps game (and getting the slightly smirky glance-over from co-hosts during the intermission when Ovi nets one) then I’m all for it, haha. Smart move, Turner sports.

Gretz handles it all with grace and, really, it’s always been his most breakable all-time record. Can’t see the others even coming close, unless they add a third assist. Maaaybe we are lucky to watch another incredible talent that under the right circumstances could get a point in 52 straight, but seems unlikely in my lifetime.

Let’s go Caps!