HOCKEY: Capitals, Golden Knights streak into post-Olympics battle

The Washington Capitals will look to extend their four-game home winning streak Friday night when they host the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights.

Washington returned from the three-week Olympic break with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, moving within two points of the third-place New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals are also two points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in a tightly packed Eastern Conference playoff race.

Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk broke a late 1-1 tie with his first game-winning goal since 2018, while goaltender Logan Thompson celebrated his 29th birthday by stopping 23 shots. Thompson, who served as the backup for Canada’s silver medal-winning Olympic team, has now allowed no more than one goal in 14 games this season.

“We know where we are in the standings,” van Riemsdyk said. “We had three weeks to look at that and crunch the numbers. We can’t afford many more losses. When you’re in a game like this and in a good spot to get two points, you’ve got to find a way.”

The win was especially impressive without top defenseman John Carlson (lower-body injury) and forward Tom Wilson (illness), both of whom represented Canada at the Olympics. Both players returned to practice Thursday.

The Golden Knights, winners of three straight, opened a five-game road trip with a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice, including the game-winner on the power play during Vegas’ five-goal third period. His 15th power-play goal of the season set a new franchise single-season record.

Despite missing five Olympians—U.S. gold medalists Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, and Canadian gold medalists Mark Stone, Mitch Marner, and Shea Theodore—the Golden Knights extended their division lead to five points. All five players are expected to return Friday.

Eichel and Hanifin stayed in Washington after visiting the White House on Tuesday and appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday.

Considering the team’s short-handed roster, coach Bruce Cassidy was asked if he expected six goals against the defensively strong Kings. “No, I did not,” Cassidy said. “Good for the guys. A few players got an opportunity to play more, and they took advantage of it.”

“That’s what good teams do,” added Dorofeyev, who missed an empty-net chance at a hat trick. “We pick up each other no matter what. Maybe we looked different on paper tonight, but we’re still the Golden Knights, and that’s how we play.”

This marks the first of two meetings between the Capitals and Golden Knights this season. Vegas leads the all-time series 9-5-0 but has just three wins in seven tries as the road team.

—Field Level Media/Reuters