Caps Dominate Islanders

Pre-game Preview:

Holtby- 2-2-1

GAA 3.84

SV% .845

DiPietro- 7-6-4

GAA 3.43

SV% .892

---Michael Nuevirth was sent home after being injured against the Flyers on Tuesday night. Braden Holtby was recalled from Hershey and gets the start for tonight (as Varlamov is likewise injured). Holtby faces off against the rarely healthy Rick DiPietro.

---Capitals injury list continues to grow: #10 Matt Bradley, #28 Alex Semin, #3 Tom Poti, #30 Michael Nuevirth, #89 Tyler Sloan, and #16 Eric Fehr.

Game Article:

Holtby played a better game than his last debut, looking much steadier in net, as did the team in front of him. Though not back to the "old Capitals" just yet, they had certainly improved over their clumsy and bland starts of late.

The first period was simple, basic hockey--the kind that Bruce's teams tend to thrive on. Shots abounded, they were aggressive and as expected "when you shoot, you score". The Caps came up with an early goal, giving them the lead for a change, leaving the Isles to fall behind again for the eighth straight game. Chimera certainly isn't the most offensively talented man on the roster, but he's a good man to have on any line--including the Ovechkin/Backstrom duo. And he proved that, scoring the first goal of the game (in the first period, both recent oddities for the Capitals). Chimera brings speed, intensity and physicality to the front line, something that they have been lacking. His willingness to grind through defense helped the line create valuable scoring opportunities all night long. Though they got shots off from both the point and the slot, as well as created a number of quality scoring chances, their power play continues to hold them back.

The intensity and aggresive play continued in the third period, and the first line continued to gel. Nick Backstrom ended his 20-game goalless streak with a tally assisted by Chimera and Ovechkin. However, Backstrom's goal was quickly answered by a goal from the Islanders, who after scoring it, seemed to find new life. The Caps easily killed off a New York power play, and continued to take the puck to the net. DiPietro played the puck at the top of the circle, disrupting the Capitals rush and leaving his net wide open. Though one of the best puck-handling goalies in the league (when on his game), that was probably his most ill-advised play of the game.

Matt Hendricks body check caused a sensation in the third, firing up the Isanders and prompting Matt Martin to pound Jason Chimera in the corner. The third period was a continuation of the Capitals excellent play through out the game.