Washington had allowed only eight goals in its first five games before the Canucks put three past Charlie Lindgren in the first period. The Capitals contested the second tally, in which Myers flipped the puck into the net with Lindgren on his stomach following a lengthy goalmouth scramble. However, a Washington challenge was unsuccessful, giving Vancouver a power play, and Sherwood converted a rebound to make it 3-0.
Elias Petterson and Teddy Blueger also scored for the Canucks. Down 4-0, the Capitals responded with goals from Ryan Leonard, Jakob Chychrun, and John Carlson to pull within one.
Vancouver forward Brock Boeser missed the game for personal reasons. Washington’s Tom Wilson delivered a big hit on Vancouver’s Filip Chytil in the first period. Chytil went slowly to the tunnel, but after review, it was ruled a legal hit. In addition to Chytil, forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki also left the game early for the Canucks.
Myers’ goal marked the 100th of his career. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin remains two goals shy of reaching 900 career goals. Lindgren had previously shut out the New York Rangers in his only other start this season, but Petterson scored just 59 seconds into Sunday’s game to end any chance of a repeat shutout.
After starting the second period with a three-goal lead, Vancouver extended their advantage to 4-0 when a puck bounced off Canucks forward Evander Kane’s skate to Blueger, who was left alone in front of the net.
Leonard put a rebound past Canucks’ goaltender Thatcher Demko on the power play in the second period to get Washington on the board. Chychrun scored during an extended push by the Capitals in the third, and Carlson’s goal with 2:14 left made it 4-3.
Chychrun had one last close-range chance to tie the game but was unable to convert.
**Up Next:**
Canucks: At Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
Capitals: Host Seattle on Tuesday night.
