Capitals vs. Maple Leafs Recap: Gustafsson’s Gotcha in Washington Win

Dealing with off for Hockey Evening in Canada the Capitals upset former buddy Ilya Samsonov and the Maple Leafs 5 to 2 in Washington.

Right here’s Saturday night time’s Plus/Minus:

• Plus: An Erik Gustafsson hat trick.
• Minus: Any Auston Matthews objective.

Extra notes on the sport:

• Halfway via the primary body Gustafsson obtained the Capitals on the scoreboard first. Sonny Milano and John Carlson picked up assists on the scoring play.
• However two minutes later hometown child William Nylander knotted the rating at one. A Swede shot from simply exterior the slot was all it took to tie the sport.
• Trevor van Riemsdyk responded earlier than intermission along with his fourth of the season. A knuckle puck from forty toes eluded Ilya Samsonov and put the Capitals forward once more.
• Early within the second interval Gustafsson tallied once more. Extra good work from Milano finally put the puck on Gustafsson’s stick and he completed the chance.
• 4 minutes later Matthews drew the Maple Leafs inside one as soon as once more. A fast shot from distance eluded Charlie Lindgren – and Matthews celebrated accordingly.
• Ten seconds into the third interval Garnet Hathaway tallied an insurance coverage objective. Selecting up a free puck within the slot Hathaway snapped his shot residence, beating Samsonov cleanly.
• And at 43:47 Gustafsson accomplished his hat trick (additionally the primary three objectives of his season). Aliaksei Protas registered his fourth help of the season on the play.