Game Over: Flames Drop Dud in Shutout Loss to Capitals in Washington

With Dan Vladar’s stellar display of goaltending in Pittsburgh this week, a lot of people are going to be pointing the fingers at Calgary Flames starter Jacob Markstrom following Friday’s matinee. 

Markstrom was beat three times in the 3-0 loss to the Washington Capitals. 

But the turning point really came in the third period, long after T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead with goals in the first and second period. 

The Flames were pressing on a powerplay and there was a feeling the Darcy Kuemper shutout could be broken at any moment. But then Milan Lucic took a penalty, wiping out momentum. 

And with the big winger in the box, a big name scored to put the game out of reach. 

The game’s biggest name when it comes to goal-scoring, Alex Ovechkin, netted his 11th of the season uncontested from prime shooting position. 

It might have been the only goal Markstrom couldn’t have stopped, although the one-timer by Oshie that opened the scoring 7:56 into the game was a tough ask. 

Pushing across the crease to take the shot, Markstrom’s pads were open from the push and Oshie’s shot went straight through. 

He should have had Kuznetsov’s one-on-three rush, which ended with the other Russian falling while shooting. Markstrom didn’t get his pad or stick on the attempt. 

Then again, how did Kuznetsov get to the goal through Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov AND Chris Tanev?

It was that kind of day for the Flames, who will have to play better in tomorrow’s matinee against the Hurricanes in Carolina. 

They outshot the Caps 32-25 but got nothing to show for it. 

The result is a 2-2-1 record on the road swing and 9-8-3 overall. 

Execution continues to be an issue offensively. They can carry the play but eventually need to score to take advantage of that possession. 

On the contrary, the Caps were opportunistic. 

The Flames looked like they might get back into the game with some desperation in the third but the sequence of the failed powerplay, Lucic’s infraction and the Ovechkin goal crushed them. 

They’ll take on the Hurricanes at 2 p.m. MT on Saturday to close out their trip.