The Washington Capitals faced a challenging matchup against the Utah Hockey Club, compounded by an afternoon start, delayed puck drop, and a back-to-back scenario. Despite pregame optimism, the Capitals fell behind 2-0 within the first two minutes. They managed to rally and tie the game in the third period, largely thanks to a power-play goal, but ultimately lost 5-4 in a shootout. Coach Spencer Carbery emphasized the need for better starts but acknowledged the team's resilience in fighting back during the game.
Goaltender Logan Thompson made 23 saves as he fell to 24-2-5 for the Capitals (36-11-8). Connor Ingram started for Utah (24-23-9) and made nine saves on 11 shots before leaving less than 13 minutes in with an upper-body injury. Karel Vejmelka, who was in net for Saturday's loss at Carolina, impressed as he stopped 30 of 32 shots in relief.
We just didn't start on time, and we're down 2-0 early,' Capitals Coach Spencer Carbery said. 'We get that power-play goal to get us back into it, and then we give up another one. The first two were not very good. It is what it is.'
Once again, our guys deserve credit. We fought back in the third. ... We find a way to get that game tied up, and that's what we'll take out of it. But afternoon game, weren't nearly good enough.
The Washington Capitals tend to struggle in all of those scenarios when faced with them individually. With those four factors working in concert, Sunday's game against the Utah Hockey Club at Capital One Arena had the makings of a loss before it even began.
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