Our postgame coverage on Caps Radio 1500 and the Capitals Radio Network is here, after a stunning setback on Verizon Center ice Thursday night. Winnipeg scored an Evander Kane power play goal (his third goal of the season against the Caps) before Dustin Byfuglien scored on a shot from center ice against Tomas Vokoun just 12 seconds later to force overtime. The Jets finished the comeback by winning in a three round shootout 3-2, forcing the Caps to accept just one standings point instead of two. After the game, Ken and Ben talked to Jay Beagle about the game. Attached here is also my postgame report for network affiliates. A tough night without question, perhaps the toughest game of the season.

Ken and Ben chat with Jay Beagle postgame Thursday on Caps Radio 1500

John Walton’s postgame report from Verizon Center, Winnipeg 3, Washington 2 (shootout)

Washington held a two-goal lead late Thursday night, only to see the Winnipeg Jets rally and stun the Capitals 3-2 in a shootout at Verizon Center.

The two teams battled through two scoreless periods, with the Capitals holding a 24-15 shot advantage heading to the third. Alex Ovechkin had perhaps the best scoring chance for either team in the second period, ringing a shot off the crossbar on the only power play though 40 minutes. Ondrej Pavelec stopped all 24 shots that came his way for Winnipeg, while Tomas Vokoun stopped all 15 pucks that came his way.

The third period started well, and nearly ended well for Dale Hunter’s team Thursday night. Alex Ovechkin broke the scoreless tie with a power play goal at 9:46, his 23rd goal of the season to make the score 1-0. Alexander Semin seemed to put the game on ice with a power play goal of his own at 12:30 of the third, his 14th of the campaign, making the score 2-0. But Winnipeg would stun the Verizon Center faithful inside the final three minutes, first with Evander Kane scoring a power play goal at 17:45 to cut Washington’s lead in half at 2-1, and then Dustin Byfuglien scoring a game-tying goal from center ice that hopped off Karl Alzner and past Tomas Vokoun. The game advanced to a shootout, where Bryan Little  scored in the third round of the shootout to give Winnipeg the advantage and Ondrej Pavelec then denied Mathieu Perreault on the last shot of the skills competition to seal the win. The Capitals picked up a standings point, and enter Friday tied with the Florida Panthers in terms of points atop the Southeast Division.

The Capitals will now play five of its next six games on the road, beginning with a game Sunday afternoon in New York against the Rangers. Puck drop Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden before Washington returns to D.C. to host the San Jose Sharks Monday night at 7:00 p.m. Sunday’s game can be seen on NBC, with Monday’s game televised on the NBC Sports Network. Mike Knuble was a healthy scratch for Washington Thursday, the first time this season that number 22 was able to play but not in the lineup. Jay Beagle played his first game in six for the Caps Thursday.

The Capitals look to close out a three-game homestand on a winning note Thursday night as the Winnipeg Jets fly into D.C. With five of its next six games away from the big barn on F Street, Washington looks for one more win against Southeast Division competition, while Winnipeg will try to move within two points of first place.

In my pre-game interview with Dale Hunter, we chat about Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Florida, Mike Knuble’s exit from the lineup tonight as Jay Beagle jumps back in after a five-game absence and more.

Dale Hunter interview February 9 vs Winnipeg