Washington had an incredible match visiting Tampa. Even the most absurd and curious own goal by the Capitals goalkeeper did not prevent the team from achieving a strong-willed victory and coming back from a 0:2 score. At the same time, the Capitals are coping well without their best sniper and captain Alexander Ovechkin, who is still on the injured list.

It turns out that Ovechkin’s phenomenal performance at the start of the regular season is far from the main reason for the Caps’ success. However, the team clearly lacks Alexander, if only because of his authority. But for now he only congratulates the team after the game and is sincerely happy for his teammates.

Washington copes without Ovechkin

Without Ovechkin in the lineup, Washington lost by one goal, first to Colorado (1:2), and then to New Jersey (2:3). However, the Capitals quickly broke the losing streak, unexpectedly slamming the defending champion Florida – 4:1. At the same time, one of the goals was scored against the Panthers by forward Ivan Miroshnichenko, who distinguished himself in the second match after returning to the main lineup.

Ovechkin, who attended the game as a spectator, was also worried about his compatriot, who was playing his first meeting of the season for the capital. And when Miroshnichenko scored, Alexander was sincerely happy and applauded.

Ivan Miroshnichenko / Photo: © Jason Mowry / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

But at the next meeting against Tampa, Washington head coach Spencer Carbery again announced Ivan in the fourth line. To be fair, Carbery almost never changes his winning lineup. And it worked again against the Lightning.

Amazing own goal by Lindgren

John Cooper’s team destroyed Colorado in the last meeting – 8:2, so one could expect that the lightning’s performance would drop significantly. However, Tampa scored two unanswered goals against Washington in the first period. First, Brayden Point completed the counterattack by outplaying Charlie Lindgren with incredible ease. Point just moved the puck to the wrong side and threw it under the crossbar.

“Washington” tried to organize a return goal, but the guests could not do anything intelligible in attack. It never came to the point of creating a full-fledged dangerous moment at Andrei Vasilevsky’s goal, although the Capitals turned over the opponent – nine shots on target against eight. But the Lightning scored again in the 13th minute, converting the majority. At the same time, Kucherov also took part in the scoring attack.

From the right throw-in circle, Nikita made a brilliant pass to the far post, and Point scored a double with a one-touch shot – 2:0. The Russian’s pass turned out to be so brilliant that the opponents didn’t even immediately realize that Braden had the puck at all. Now Kucherov has 33 points (12+21) in 21 matches.

It’s interesting what Carbery told his players during the break, but a completely different Washington came out in the second period, managing to restore the balance in the score. Vasilevsky’s goal was sealed by Capitals newcomer Andrew Mangipane, who is not lost even in the team’s third line. And a few shifts later, one of the key episodes of the meeting occurred – the removal of Dylan Strome.

Having realized the majority, the hosts would probably have broken the opponent’s resistance. But instead, Tampa conceded: Tom Wilson provided an assist, and Alexei Protas scored a short-handed goal. However, 44 seconds before the siren, the Lightning took the lead again through the efforts of Michael Eissimont.

Washington, which had clearly caught on to its game, did not let the opponent go far and at the start of the third period equalized the score for the second time: Protas scored the second point with an assist, and Strome upset Vasilevskiy. In the 48th minute, another important episode occurred that could surprise even seasoned fans. Lindgren picked up the puck and, sensing the opponent’s pressure, decided to defuse the situation by making a pass over the end line. However, the goalkeeper managed to score into his own goal – 3:4. The goal was credited to Point, who scored the easiest hat-trick of his career.

Charlie Lindgren / Photo: © Mitchell Leff / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

But the Washington players were not upset and supported the goalkeeper after perhaps the strangest goal of the season. The Capitals rallied and in the remaining time they scored two more goals into Vasilevsky’s goal. John Carlson scored the fourth goal, and Wilson converted the power play, putting an end to the match – 5:4.

After the game, the capital took another strong step – they chose Lindgren as the best hockey player of the meeting. At this time, a satisfied and happy Ovechkin was walking around the locker room, actively congratulating his teammates on their victory in a great match. I would like Alexander to do this in a hockey uniform, but I am glad that the Russian is in a great mood.

The Capitals now round out the top three in the East, while Tampa is in eighth place in the same conference.