Hold onto your hats, hockey fans, because the Washington Capitals just pulled off a thrilling overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tom Wilson was the undisputed star of the show! But here’s where it gets controversial—while Wilson’s performance was nothing short of stellar, the Caps’ power play strategy has left many scratching their heads. Let’s dive into the details.
The Capitals returned to DC in style, clinching a 3-2 win in overtime that had fans on the edge of their seats. The game started with Jake Guentzel scoring the lone goal of the first period, a smooth layup after a face-off in the Caps’ zone. The second period saw only one goal as well, with Connor McMichael delivering a pinpoint pass from below the goal line to Aliaksei Protas, who seemed to appear out of nowhere—almost like he was wearing stealth camouflage from Metal Gear Solid. And this is the part most people miss—Protas’ ability to find open space has been a game-changer this season, defying critics who doubted his shooting percentage.
Early in the third, Brayden Point gave the Lightning a brief lead with a power-play goal, but the Caps weren’t about to back down. In a rare turn of events, Washington’s power play unit came through, with Tom Wilson deflecting Dylan Strome’s shot to tie the game. Wilson’s impact didn’t stop there—he assisted on the overtime winner, feeding Jakob Chychrun for the game-clinching goal after Strome hit the post. Bold statement alert—Wilson’s involvement in all three goals raises questions about why the Caps don’t lean on him more during power plays. Is he the missing piece they’ve been searching for?
Speaking of power plays, the Caps’ struggles in this area have been well-documented. Out of eleven opportunities, only one resulted in a goal, leaving them near the bottom of the league rankings. Fan Chris Cerullo summed it up perfectly on Twitter: ‘Why are all five players on the power play playing on the outside? How the hell is that supposed to work?’ It’s a valid question that highlights the team’s ongoing challenges in creating scoring chances with the man advantage. Controversial take—maybe it’s time to shake up the power play unit entirely. What do you think?
On a brighter note, Alex Ovechkin finally recorded his second shot on goal of the season, though it’s hard to call that good news given his usual standards. Should the team be doing more to get him the puck? Let’s debate that in the comments.
Meanwhile, Aliaksei Protas continues to silence his doubters, scoring his third goal of the season after a flawless pass from McMichael. Even Protas himself joked that his mom could’ve scored on that play, but let’s give credit where it’s due—his positioning and finishing ability are no fluke.
Shifting focus to the rest of the team, Sonny Milano saw limited ice time, with only 12 shifts in regulation. His line, featuring Lapierre and Leonard, seemed to be a low priority against the Bolts, raising questions about their role moving forward. On the flip side, Justin Sourdif and the fourth line showed promising cohesion, despite being on the ice for Guentzel’s goal. Thought-provoking question—is Sourdif the unsung hero the Caps need? Share your thoughts below.
Lastly, let’s not forget the New York Rangers’ historic struggle, becoming the first NHL team to fail to score in their first three home games. While it’s a tough pill for Rangers fans to swallow, it’s a silver lining for Caps supporters looking for some league-wide perspective.
In the end, this game was a rollercoaster for Washington, with a slow first period giving way to a dominant overtime performance. The Caps have plenty to work on, but with Wilson leading the charge, there’s reason for optimism. Final question for you—is Tom Wilson the key to fixing the Caps’ power play woes, or is it time for a complete overhaul? Let’s hear your take in the comments!
