If you weren't very familiar with the NHL and just watched the first period of this game, you wouldn't guess that the Capitals had won four of their last five games and that the Thrashers have lost their last three. From the very start of the first period, Atlanta has dominated Washington.
The Capitals wrapped up their worst 10 minutes of the season with a 3-0 defict. Atlanta got on the board less than three minutes in off the stick of Ben Eager. The Thrashers winger started the play by hitting Tyler Sloan into the boards. Eager passed the puck to Nik Antropov, and then got it right bak as he beat Sloan to the goal mouth and put the puck into the net.
Six minutes later, Antropov tallied a goal of his own, thanks to a bit of luck. Antropov knocked the puck towards the net, by Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby failed to control it. The young goalie sprawled and reached for the puck, but he could not grab it, and Antropov had no problem converting into an open net.
The two goal lead lasted only 15 seconds for the Thrashers before they were able to add another score. Straight off the faceoff, Atlanta gained possession and Evander Kane skated behind the net and fired a quick lateral shot at Holtby. The goaltender was not expecting such a sudden attempt, and the puck found its way into the net.
Holtby's night ended there, as Bruce Boudreau pulled him in favor of Michael Neuvirth.
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