In a thrilling match at the Capital One Arena, Nashville Predators’ goaltender Yaroslav Askarov made a remarkable debut, leading his team to a 3-2 shootout victory against the Washington Capitals. The 21-year-old goalie, making his first start of the season and only his second in the NHL, showcased his skills by stopping 26 shots and denying two more in the shootout, including attempts by Russian stars Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin.
Luke Evangelista and Roman Josi netted goals for the Predators (20-16-1), contributing to snapping their three-game losing streak. Coach Andrew Brunette praised the team’s ability to correct course and play to their strengths after the first period.
The Capitals (17-11-6) put up a fierce fight, with Alex Ovechkin scoring his seventh goal of the season. Hunter Shepard, called up from the AHL earlier in the day, impressed with 33 saves. Despite his performance, the Capitals extended their losing streak to four games.
The match began with Nashville’s Luke Evangelista scoring at 2:44 of the first period. Roman Josi later increased the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal, demonstrating the Predators’ offensive prowess. However, the Capitals fought back, with Beck Malenstyn scoring in the first period and Ovechkin equalizing in the second with a powerful one-timer.
A moment of controversy arose when Ovechkin thought he had given the Capitals a lead late in the third period, but the goal was disallowed due to interference.
In the end, Nashville’s Gustav Nyquist and Ryan O’Reilly secured the win in the shootout. Josi’s goal tied him with Shea Weber for the most goals by a defenseman in Predators history. Askarov’s impressive debut adds to his growing reputation and marks a significant milestone in his young career. For the Capitals, Ethan Bear made his debut, playing over 20 minutes and blocking three shots.
This game highlighted the resilience and competitive spirit of both teams, with Nashville ultimately emerging victorious thanks to Askarov’s outstanding performance.
