Without Mike Green in the lineup, the Washington Capitals entered Thursday's game with the Edmonton Oilers needing extra production from their blueline. Karl Alzner was happy to oblige.
Alzner's first goal of the season put the Caps up early, but Taylor Hall's power play goal late in the first period has the game tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes.
Alzner became the 14th different Cap to score this season at 5:36. After sustained pressure in the offensive zone, Jason Chimera picked up the rebound of Sean Collins' shot and sent a cross-ice pass to the point. Alzner found himself wide open and his slap shot beat Nikolai Khabibulin high glove side. Alzner's first goal of the season broke a personal 55-game scoreless drought.
Hall tied the game at 18:15 while Edmonton enjoyed a 4-on-3 power play thanks to a slew of Washington penalties. Corey Potter's slap pass to Jordan Eberle started a tic-tac-toe passing sequence that ended with Hall alone in the crease with a wide open net. Hall beat a sprawling Tomas Vokoun for his third goal of the season.
Shots are 9-5 in favor of Washington.