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Three consecutive goals from Troy Brouwer, John Carlson, and Joel Ward had the Capitals up comfortably with 38 minutes to play as they skated to their 22nd win of the year. Detroit’s lone tally from Jonathan Ericsson late in the second period was all the offense the Red Wings could muster in the losing effort. Their starting goalie, Jimmy Howard, left the game immediately after Brouwer’s early goal because of a groin strain that crippled the All-Star and resigned him to a stretcher before leaving the ice. Get well – we’re hoping for a speedy recovery.
First, Saturday night’s Plus/Minus:
Plus/Minus:
- Plus: Washington converted their offensive chances early and gave themselves enough breathing room to skate comfortably through most of the game’s sixty minutes. In comparison to previous regimes Barry Trotz’s Capitals are much more sound when playing with the lead and they are beginning to instill confidence in the red rocking Verizon Center.
- Minus: Jonathan Ericsson‘s late second period goal gave the Red Wings life before the second intermission. Washington needs to be able to end every period with strong defensive play and no goals against.
And now, this…
- Brouwer got Washington a lead 113 seconds into the contest by taking a loose puck behind the Red Wings’ net and tucked a wrap around into the net. Howard and defenseman Danny Dekeyser had a communication gaffe and Brouwer was there to get the scoring started early.
- Howard made a late left leg lunge for the puck and hurt himself. The game’s emergency crew lifted Howard onto a stretcher and wheeled him off after a lengthy delay. We’re hoping for a speedy recovery.
- Carlson would score for Washington in the second period once again less than two minutes into the frame. A four on three was finished by the defenseman from the slot thanks to a fine pass from Andre Burakovsky that Carlson fired through Petr Mrazek’s legs. Happy Birthday John!
- Ward put Washington ahead by three a little more than ten minutes later with his 11th of the year. He took a bouncing pass from Eric Fehr in the slot and fired an off speed pitch that slipped past Mrazek’s glovehand.
- Detroit’s Ericsson would get the Red Wings on the scoreboard just before the end of the second period. A late shot from above the slot beat Holtby with eleven seconds to play in the frame and gave Detroit some life heading into the second intermission.
- Brooks Orpik lead all skaters with all five hits, including a stern body check to Red Wings Captain Henrik Zetterberg early in the second period. Orpik continues his string of strong play with over twenty minutes of ice time and six blocked shots.
- Holtby was superb all night, stopping 26 shots and controlling play in the Capitals’ defensive zone. He was relegated to second star status behind Carlson and his game winning goal but an argument could’ve been made that he was Washington’s most important player.
- Tonight’s contest was a low shooting affair with the teams combining for 44 total shots on net. Detroit outshot their hosts by ten, 27 to 17, but couldn’t get more than a single one past Holtby.
- Washington’s win was their fifth straight on home ice, a first for the team this season. Their last loss on home ice was at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nick Foligno‘s overtime winner.
Washington extended its point streak to seven straight games and they continue their rise through the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference. This team has been red hot of late and they are picking up points in great bunches. Their sixty minute performances have been dominant and their recent success reflects that. They look to extend their streak to eight games Monday night against the Colorado Avalanche.
Game Highlights: