If you didn’t stay up to watch the Capitals defeat the Anaheim Ducks 7-6 on Wednesday night, you might not even believe that Washington put the puck in the net seven times. With Alex Semin’s hat trick, the Caps earned their 30th win and 70th point of the season. Semin’s last goal came with just over a minute left in regulation and secured the win for Washington in his four point effort.
For Semin, it was his fourth hat trick of the season, his first of the year against a non-Southeast Division team and he snapped a career high 17 game goalless streak.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau pulled goal keeper Semyon Varlamov after the first period when he allowed three goals, one to Ryan Getzlaf on a power play, one to Teemu Selanne and the last to Toni Lydman. He was replaced by Michal Neuvirth who saved nine shots in the remaining forty minutes, but also allowed three goals of his own.
The most goals that the Caps have given up this season was seven in an abysmal loss to the Rangers on December 12th.
Washington looks to continue their offensive surge with a game on Friday in San Jose against the Sharks.
This was an insane game to watch. Very fun with all of the goals, and Anaheim technically only scored 5. Their final goal was such a joke with their own net being disconnected, plus their attacker was offsides. I understand the call on the net, but the offsides was inexcusable.
But Sasha was on fire. Definitely a good step for the Caps offense, even with Ovi's stamina issues.
Neuvi was garbage.