Caps Complete Back to Back Wins over Winnipeg, 6-1
The Washington Capitals put themselves in much better position the past two days. After a huge win over the Southeast Division leading Winnipeg Jets last night, the Caps pounded the jets 6-1 tonight to complete a 4 point pickup in two days.
Alexander Ovechkin extended his goal scoring streak to four consecutive games, tallying twice tonight to help lift the Caps. Ovi has recorded 5 goals and 7 total points over his last 4 games.
The Caps got on the board in the first period with a Brooks Laich tally at the 12:10 mark of the first period. It was Laich's first goal of the season, having just made his season debut three games ago from an injury that derailed him from the start of the shortened season. Laich now has a goal and an assist and is a +4 in his three games this season. The Laich goal was assisted by Mike Ribeiro. Troy Brouwer scored his 12th of the season four minutes later to give Washington a 2-0 first period lead. Brouwer extended his point streak to four consecutive games. Brouwer's tally was assisted by Ribeiro and Steve Oleksy. Credit for the Brouwer goes to Ribeiro for a sensational feed that led to the goal. Caps took a 2-0 lead into the intermission, despite being out shot 10-7.
The Caps added two more in the second period. Jay Beagle added his second marker of the season near the six minute mark to put the Caps up 3-0. Joel Ward and Matt Hendricks added helpers. The Beagle marker chased Winnipeg goal Ondrej Pavelec from the game being replaced by Al Montoya. Less than two minutes later, Ovechkin welcomed Montoya tot he game with his first of the night and his 14th of the season. Ovi's bomb was assisted by Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. Again, despite being out shot 12-9 in the second period, the Caps put up two goals, while Braden Holtby continued blanking the Jets. Though Holtby played well through two period, much credit can go to the Caps defense that kept the puck to the outside and limited scoring opportunities on Holtby.
Mike Green fired a bomb from back near the blue line to score his third goal of the season and give the Caps an insurmountale 5-0 lead. Dmitry Orlov and Johansson added helpers on the Green tally. Dustin Byfuglien broke up Holtby's bid for his third consecutive shut out with a goal near the half way point of third period. Ovechkin added his 15th of the season later in the third period on the Caps power play to complete the scoring and seal the Caps 6-1 win. John Carlosn and Nicklas Backstrom added assists.
Washington's 6-1 rout of Winnipeg featured 14 different Caps players garnering a point. The win improved the Caps to 14-16-1 on the season. The Caps now have 29 standing points and sit just 3 points out of the 8th playoff spot. Picking up 4 points on Winnipeg in two days has also pulled the caps within 5 points of the Southeast Division lead.
Multi-Point Scorers:
Marcus Johansson, 2 assists
Alex Ovechkin, 2 goals
Mike Ribeiro, 2 assists
Caps Scoring Streaks:
Troy Brouwer, FOUR game point streak
Alex Ovechkin, FOUR point game streak, FOUR game goal scoring streak
