PK Shines As Caps Down Nashville

Preasason
Capitals 2 - Predators 1
Game Summary

In the second preseason test for the Capitals, it would be their penalty kill that would come up big. The Caps would take 6 straight penalties but would survive them all included a penalty in the waning moments in the game to win their second straight preseason game.

Mike Green scored an early power play tally just 3:21 into the game. Nick Backstrom fed him a sweet pass to set up Green's slap shot. Green would finish with a goal and an assist. Jay Beagle would score the game winner off of a Keith Aucoin pass and the Caps would down the Predators.

The Caps would be plagued with penalties all game long after taking the early 1-0 lead. But the penalty kill would come up big killing every Predator's power play chance. The Caps are a perfect 10 for 10 in the preseason killing off penalties (Columbus Blue Jackets were 0-4 on the PP).


The preseason tilt included a pair of fights with Steve Pinizzotto taking on Kelsey Wilson after Pinizzotto hit Wilson cleanly and Wilson took exception with the clean check. The second bout was between two heavy weights in Grant McNeill and Wade Belak. Belak got in a few punches but McNeill stood strong, lasting until the linesmen broke it up.


Cody Eakin continues to impress even though he did not score tonight. His speed led to a couple negated icings and a spectacular collision with Preds' goaltender Anders Lindback. Beagle made a strong case for making the team with his game winning goal. Marcus Johansson also stood out in this game.


Matt Hendricks didn't quite make the splash he did in the first preseason game, but he played a more physical after the coaching staff evaluated his first game. Brian Fahey also seemed pretty invisible through out the game.


Both goaltenders looked pretty good. Michal Neuvirth had a great series of saves late in the first period as the Predators picked up their play. Dany Sabourin even came up big in the waning seconds of the game coming up with some pretty nice saves to preserve the Caps' lead.


Caps Notes:

• Caps cut goaltender Braden Holtby and defenseman Patrick Wellar and sent them down to Hershey. 
• Bruce Boudreau indicated that Alex Ovechkin most likely will start in only three preseason games. Ovi is expected to only play in the Caps' home games.
• Next Preseason tilt is against Boston Tuesday night (9/28) at Verizon Center.