Shocker

Capitals 3, Hurricanes 4
Scoresheet - Wash Post

That has to be a NHL record. One shot, one goal, all in one period. Alex Ovechkin's goal made the Capitals perfect in the first period, and they had no other shots for the rest of the period. The Caps nearly pulled off an upset when two games back to back caught up with them early in the third.

The Hurricanes are fighting for their playoff lives, the Caps aren't. The 'Canes were throwing everything at Brent Johnson, who looked very good in the net. Let's be honest, I was more shocked the Capitals were ahead at the end of the second than the Hurricanes two quick goals (both goals were thirty seconds apart) to tie and then lead at the start of the third period.

Ovie scored twice and Chris Clark scored a power play tally in the second after the Caps allowed a shorthanded tally by Carolina early in the powerplay. Jiri Novotny found the scoresheet twice with a couple of assists (albeit secondary assists). The Caps did alright, considering this was their second game in two nights. They responded well against a team that needed a win, badly.

The Capitals came into this game tied for third in the league for first period goals. The first period for the Capitals has been a positive this year, but the Caps need to pull together a full 60 minutes. It always seem to be some goal, some play or some penalty that turns the Caps fortunes sour. Then they just can't recover.

Shots were tough to come by for the Capitals because the Hurricanes were so good defensively. Caps only were able to muster 10 shots for the game, the Hurricanes slapped 39 against Johnson who turned away 35 of them. Not to state the obvious but, the Caps needed more shots on net.

The Penguins come to call against the Caps on Tuesday. Crosby vs. Ovie blah, blah, blah. Penguins in the playoffs and blah, blah, blah. Pittsburgh is going to build a new arena, blah, blah, blah.

Editor's Note: Tarik El-Bashir answers my question on one shot in one period.