Turning point…
Alex Ovechkin scored just over a minute into the game. While the Toronto Maple Leafs may have had 59 minutes to get back into the game – they never did. The Capitals were able to capitalize on the home crowd energy right from the start, and their three unanswered first period goals were the difference in the 6-4 win.
It Was Over When…
When the Capitals killed off a penalty with just under half a period to play. The Leafs had crawled back to 6-3 and a goal with 7 to 9 minutes left, might have got them back in the game.
Three Stars:
1st Star – Alex Ovechkin; he added two assists to his game-opening goal
2nd star – Alexander Semin; also had three points, with two 2nd period goals and a helper on Ovechkin’s goal
3rd Star – Brooks Laich; who had a goal and an assist
Key Statistic:
5-for-8
Vesa Toskala was pulled between the first and second periods, after stopping only of five of eight first period shots.
Noteworthy:
Ovechkin and Semin both already have six points, after registering three points a piece in each of the Caps first two games… Laich and Nicklas Backstrom both have five points in two games… it took 77 seconds for the Verizon Center to have a reason to shout ‘M-V-P’ for Ovechkin… Toronto defenseman Mike Komisarek received his sixth penalty of the season in the first period… Mike Green led all players, with over 24 minutes of ice time… center Michael Nylander was a healthy scratch for the Caps, along with defensemen Jeff Schultz and Tyler Sloan… it was the eighth consecutive time that the Caps have won their home opener; they are now 9-1-1 all-time in home openers at Verizon Center.
Up Next:
The Caps take on the Flyers in Philadelphia on Tuesday, and then are back home on Thursday to face the New York Rangers.
Check out the video highlights of the game if you missed it.