Caps earn first win of 2013

The Washington Capitals continued their quest for the team’s first trip to the Stanley Cup finals since 2000, Thursday, collecting their first win of the 2013-14 season.  The Caps offense came from behind several times to sneak by the Calgary Flames with a shootout victory.  Washington played several preseason games to shootouts, and it was very apparent as Alex Ovechkin and Mikhail Grabovski converted each of their shots.

Alex Ovechkin (Above) finished with 2 goals and an assist.

In the first period, Washington quickly found themselves in an 0-3 hole as Calgary jumped on the Capitals back line, receiving goals from David Jones, Lee Stempniak, and Jiri Hudler.  The situation looked meager for the capitals in their home opener, however, the team rallied in the second period behind hart trophy winner Alex Ovechkin, who tallied two goals in the period.  Connor Carrick scored the initial goal for Washington, breaking the dry spell with 12:30 remaining before intermission.  The Flames quietly answered with a goal from Lance Bouma, pushing the Calgary lead to 4-1.  After the goal, Alexander Ovechkin went on a tear.  First, Ovechkin ripped a power play goal off of a face off to cut the deficit to 4-2.  Then, on another draw, Ovi snipped a wrister past goaltender Karri Ramo for his second goal of the game.  Washington entered intermission down just one goal with twenty minutes remaining.

As time ticked down, the Capitals hopes look dim, but not before Ovechkin came to the rescue once again, saving a lose puck before Grabovski found Nicklas Backstrom for the game tying goal.

Washington entered the Overtime period with all the momentum, but was unable to capitalize, as the score remained tied.  Washington then dominated the shoot out with goals from Grabovski and Ovi to earn their first win of the season.  Washington returns to action Saturday against the Dallas Stars.