Time was winding down, the game in hand with a three-goal lead.
So when the Montreal Canadiens kept their top power-play unit on the ice late during Tuesday’s victory over the Capitals, added a goal with 47 seconds left and then tried for more on the next shift, it did not go unnoticed on the Washington bench.
That should add plenty of spice to tonight’s rematch at Verizon Center.
“Yeah, they tried to embarrass us,” said Caps forward Viktor Kozlov, whose team lost, 4-0, at Bell Center. “But we have to remember those things and prepare ourselves better.”
After Caps defenseman Jeff Schultz took a hooking penalty with 1 minute, 3 seconds to go down 3-0, Montreal sent out its top power play group in Alex Kovalev (22 goals), Andrei Kostitsyn (14 goals) and Tomas Plekanec (16 goals). It took just 16 seconds for Kovalev to score on a wrist shot.
On the next shift, the No. 1 line of Saku Koivu (27 assists), Michael Ryder (eight goals) and Christopher Higgins (16 goals) fired three more shots at goalie Brent Johnson. The Caps weren’t happy. But their play earlier in the night already had them in a foul mood.
“Montreal played a great game. Their goalie [Cristobal Huet] was outstanding and we let way too many shots on our goalie and didn’t give him a chance,” said Caps defenseman Mike Green. “We have to get back to playing our game if we want to win tonight.”
Washington vs. Montreal
Where » Verizon Center
When » Tonight, 7
The skinny » In goal for the Caps (23-23-5, 51 points) is Olie Kolzig, who last played Jan. 23 in Toronto. Cristobal Huet, who had 35 saves and a shutout Tuesday, starts again for Montreal (27-15-8, 62 points). The status of Caps D Shaone Morrisonn, out two games last week with a bruised right foot, will be determined at today’s morning skate. He did practice on Wednesday.
