Caps 7, Bolts 4 - Quick Recap

It was another two point night at Verizon Center for the Washington Capitals, who started 2009 the same way they ended 2008 - on winning notes. Once again the atmosphere at Verizon Center was electric and there was a sellout crowd present to "Rock the Red." The Caps raced out to a 3-0 lead through the end of the first period before the Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier got the Bolts on the scoreboard at 00:58 of the second period, by the end of the second period the Lightning had pulled to within one and the period ended with the score Caps 4, Lightning 3. That was as close as the Lightning would get though - one goal and the game ended with a final score of Caps 7, Lightning 4. The Caps scoring was spread around and all seven goals were scored by different players. The Lighting on the other hand got two goals from Vincent Lecavalier and a goal each from Ryan Malone and Mark Recchi. The Capitals goals were scored by: 1) Sean Collins (his first NHL goal,) 2) Dave Steckel, 3) Mike Green, 4) Matt Bradley, 5) Boyd Gordon (the Game Winner,) 6) Chris Clark (his first of the season) and 7) Alexander Ovechkin. Capitals Captain, Chris Clark had another good game, missing a a"Gordie Howe Hat Trick" by an assist but finishing the evening with 11:30 TOI on 16 shifts 3 shots, a goal, 1 hit, 2 blocked shots and +1. Alexander Ovechkin had an excellent night 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 shots, 4 attempts blocked, 1 miss, 3 hits, and 1 faceoff won (0 faceoffs lost). Boyd Gordon had an exceptional night, Gordo went 7 for 12 (58%) in the faceoff circle, had a goal and an assist on the night and was +/- +2 on the night. Matt Bradley also had a super night. "Brads: had a goal, and assist, 2 hits, went 1 of 2 in the faceoff circle and was +3 on the night.

One other quick note, former Capital Jamie Heward was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being knocked unconscious by a clean hit from Alexander Ovechkin in the third period last night. Per the post game recap on the Caps website: "According to postgame reports, Heward has a concussion and he will stay overnight at Sibley Memorial Hospital for observation. "He was moving his arms," said Lightning coach Rick Tocchet. "He was unconscious for about a minute and a half. So we made sure that we called his wife. I don't know for sure, but it seems that it's hopefully positive. We'll keep him overnight."