The Washington Capitals entered tonight's game in Minnesota against the Wild looking to build on last night's performance against the Carolina Hurricanes. Through one period, they are not far off.
The Capitals played solid defense in the first period, limiting the Wild to just six shots and five scoring chances. However, Minnesota was able to capialize on one of those chances while limiting the Capitals to just five first period shots.
Jeff Kobasew got free in the low slot and John Carlson was just a step late in getting to him as Andrew Brunette threaded a pass to Kobasew who easily banged it passed Michael Neuvirth at 7:48. It is the seventh time this season the Capitals have allowed the first goal of the game, and sixth time in seven. Carlson also failed to take Kobasew's stick away from him as Carlson simply whacked at Kobasews' stick instead of attempting to lift it off the ice.
The Capitals were able to kill the lone Wild power play in the period and managed a few scoring chances, but were stymied by Wild netminder Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom stopped a Mike Green shot with his glove with around five minutes remaining in the period to keep the Capitals off the scoreboard. It is also the sixth time in the last seven games that the Capitals have gone scoreless in the first period.