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  6. article_body => "<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Washington earned its first victory of the preseason with a 4-2 win in Montreal. The Canadiens battled back from a 2-0 deficit, but Devante Smith-Pelly scored the game-winner late in the third period.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Here are the players who stood out for the Caps:<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Thumbs up<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Jakub Vrana:<\/strong> Vrana was a factor as soon as the puck dropped. He showed good speed and created several early opportunities. He even recorded a goal as he tried to set up Evgeny Kuznetsov in the slot. The pass deflected off a defenseman\u2019s stick and into the net. This game was a big step forward for Vrana\u2019s chances of landing in the top-six and two steps forward for him making the team.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>RELATED: <\/em><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-capitals\/alex-ovechkin-about-switch-equipment-brands-again\" target=\"_blank\">IS<\/a><\/em><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-capitals\/alex-ovechkin-about-switch-equipment-brands-again\" target=\"_blank\"> OVECHKIN SWITCHING GEAR BRANDS?&nbsp;<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Evgeny Kuznetsov:<\/strong> I would say Kuznetsov looks like a lock to make the roster. When this game started, there were times where he made everyone around him look like they were going at only half-speed.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Madison Bowey: <\/strong>Bowey very easily could have scored with a good early opportunity from the high-slot even if Carey Price made it look like a routine save. Even so, Bowey showed very good offensive instincts and earned an assist on Kuznetsov\u2019s goal with the breakout pass. His defensive game was not as strong, but overall it was a good night that may have just earned him the inside track on roster spot.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Pheonix Copley:<\/strong> If the Capitals are considering trading Philipp Grubauer, they will have some peace of mind given how well Copley performed. He calmly stopped 21 of the 20 shots&nbsp;he faced with the only goal coming on a backdoor power play shot from Max Pacioretty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Thumbs down<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Jyrki Jokipakka:<\/strong> Jokipakka is not just competing for playing time, he is trying to convince Washington to give him a contract. He is no closer to that goal after his performance in Montreal. The Canadiens\u2019 forwards feasted on Jokipakka from start to finish. They were able to maneuver around him with relative ease as he over-committed on dekes and looked slow on his feet.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Penalties:<\/strong> Another 12 penalties. It is going to be a long, long season if this keeps up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Jonas Siegenthaler: Overall, it was a pretty good night for the Swiss defenseman, but he tried to sit on the wrong bench and that is just embarrassing.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">no worries, dude. happens to the best of us \ud83d\ude2c <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/biviRo2FEL\">pic.twitter.com\/biviRo2FEL<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSCapitals\/status\/910665676381151232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 21, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<br \/>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>MORE CAPITALS: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-capitals\/jakub-vrana-really-trying-ignore-pressure\" target=\"_blank\">VRANA IS TRYING TO IGNORE THE PRESSURE<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n"
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Capitals

Capitals

 

Washington earned its first victory of the preseason with a 4-2 win in Montreal. The Canadiens battled back from a 2-0 deficit, but Devante Smith-Pelly scored the game-winner late in the third period.

Here are the players who stood out for the Caps:

Thumbs up

Jakub Vrana: Vrana was a factor as soon as the puck dropped. He showed good speed and created several early opportunities. He even recorded a goal as he tried to set up Evgeny Kuznetsov in the slot. The pass deflected off a defenseman’s stick and into the net. This game was a big step forward for Vrana’s chances of landing in the top-six and two steps forward for him making the team.

RELATED: IS OVECHKIN SWITCHING GEAR BRANDS? 

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I would say Kuznetsov looks like a lock to make the roster. When this game started, there were times where he made everyone around him look like they were going at only half-speed.

Madison Bowey: Bowey very easily could have scored with a good early opportunity from the high-slot even if Carey Price made it look like a routine save. Even so, Bowey showed very good offensive instincts and earned an assist on Kuznetsov’s goal with the breakout pass. His defensive game was not as strong, but overall it was a good night that may have just earned him the inside track on roster spot.

Pheonix Copley: If the Capitals are considering trading Philipp Grubauer, they will have some peace of mind given how well Copley performed. He calmly stopped 21 of the 20 shots he faced with the only goal coming on a backdoor power play shot from Max Pacioretty. 

Thumbs down

Jyrki Jokipakka: Jokipakka is not just competing for playing time, he is trying to convince Washington to give him a contract. He is no closer to that goal after his performance in Montreal. The Canadiens’ forwards feasted on Jokipakka from start to finish. They were able to maneuver around him with relative ease as he over-committed on dekes and looked slow on his feet.

Penalties: Another 12 penalties. It is going to be a long, long season if this keeps up.

Jonas Siegenthaler: Overall, it was a pretty good night for the Swiss defenseman, but he tried to sit on the wrong bench and that is just embarrassing.


MORE CAPITALS: VRANA IS TRYING TO IGNORE THE PRESSURE