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Despite depleted lineup, Capitals keep rolling to eighth straight victory Despite depleted lineup, Capitals keep rolling to eighth straight victory
(about 1 hour later)
BUFFALO — They were injured and then bloodied, playing a game they had every excuse to lose. Instead, the Washington Capitals rolled on to their eighth straight win, and considering the circumstances, this one might have been the most impressive.BUFFALO — They were injured and then bloodied, playing a game they had every excuse to lose. Instead, the Washington Capitals rolled on to their eighth straight win, and considering the circumstances, this one might have been the most impressive.
With goals from Alex Ovechkin and Jay Beagle, the Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres, 2-0, for their first regulation win at First Niagara Center since 2011. Goaltender Braden Holtby was a brick wall, making 31 saves for a shutout on a night the defense was limited in how much help it could provide for him. He hasn’t lost a game in regulation since Nov. 10. With goals from Alex Ovechkin and Jay Beagle, the Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres, 2-0, for their first regulation win at First Niagara Center since 2011. Goaltender Braden Holtby was impressive again, making 31 saves for a shutout on a night the defense was limited in how much it could help him. He hasn’t lost a game in regulation since Nov. 10.
The Capitals suffered a loss before the game even began. Top defenseman John Carlson was ruled out with a lower-body injury, ending his consecutive games streak at 412. He was 10 games away from tying Bobby Carpenter’s franchise record. More significantly for Washington, his absence put an even greater strain on the Capitals’ depleted defense. The Capitals suffered a loss before the game even began. Top defenseman John Carlson was ruled out with a lower-body injury, ending his consecutive games streak at 412. He was 10 games away from tying Bobby Carpenter’s franchise record. More significantly for Washington, his absence put an even greater strain on the Capitals’ depleted defense, one that’s already missing veteran Brooks Orpik because of a lower-body injury.
Brooks Orpik, Carlson’s defensive partner going into the season, has been sidelined for 21 straight games with a lower-body injury, so Carlson’s absence meant Washington was without its top two defensemen going into the season. Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said Carlson “got twisted up” against Montreal on Saturday, and he only skated for a few minutes during the Capitals’ morning skate on Monday. But even ailing, Washington found a way to win.
Despite the Sabres’ unsuccessful recent history, Capitals games in Buffalo have tended to be close in recent years. Entering Monday night, a game between the teams hadn’t been resolved in regulation here since the 2011-12 season. The first period Monday indicated the game was going in that direction again, with both teams scoreless and the teams about even in chances. “I think it’s pride, based on the types of guys that we have and trusting in each other and also how we play the game, in terms of systematically,” Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said.
Despite its ailing defense, the Capitals kept the game scoreless before their offense could get on the board. Nineteen seconds into the second period, the Sabres followed a puck into the corner in the Capitals’ offensive zone. Nicklas Backstrom kicked it out to Ovechkin, who was left all alone in front of the Buffalo net. His wrist shot gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead, and Washington has the league’s best record when scoring the first goal of the game. Said Karl Alzner: “I think a lot of it is attitude. We are excited to play. We have fun out there, so guys can just jump in and feed off the energy that the rest of the guys are giving. We have a good team, and we’re good all the way up and down the lineup. That showed tonight.”
Momentum seemed to shift toward Buffalo after Washington forward Justin Williams had to go back to the locker room because Nicolas Deslauriers’s stick hit him in the face 8:09 into the second period. There was blood splattered on the ice, but no penalty was called. [D.C. Sports Bog: Jason Chimera and his very own beer]
With Orpik out for a 21st straight game, Carlson’s absence meant Washington was without both of its top two defensemen for the first time this season. Trotz said Carlson “got twisted up” against Montreal on Saturday, and he only skated for a few minutes during the Capitals’ morning skate on Monday. He was scratched after taking warmups but “is pretty close.”
Even with defenseman Connor Carrick playing in his first NHL game since the 2013-14 season and veterans Matt Niskanen and Alzner having to play more than 26 minutes each, Trotz thought Holtby had an “easy night” until the Sabres made a late push by pulling their goaltender.
“We didn’t give them much,” Trotz said.
The offense gave the defense a hand in the second period. Nineteen seconds in, the Sabres followed a puck into the corner in the Capitals’ offensive zone. Nicklas Backstrom kicked it out to Ovechkin, who was left all alone in front of the Buffalo net. Ovechkin’s wrist shot gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead, and Washington has the league’s best record when scoring the first goal of the game.
But momentum seemed to shift toward Buffalo after Washington forward Justin Williams had to go back to the locker room because Nicolas Deslauriers’s stick hit him in the face 8 minutes 9 seconds into the second period. There was blood splattered on the ice, but no penalty was called.
Michael Latta fought Deslauriers in retaliation, but after Deslauriers landed several punches and then swung Latta down onto the ice, he windmilled his arms up and screamed, eliciting a raucous reaction from the crowd. Not only was Williams out after getting hit in the face, now Latta was in the penalty box for five minutes for fighting.Michael Latta fought Deslauriers in retaliation, but after Deslauriers landed several punches and then swung Latta down onto the ice, he windmilled his arms up and screamed, eliciting a raucous reaction from the crowd. Not only was Williams out after getting hit in the face, now Latta was in the penalty box for five minutes for fighting.
Latta didn’t return to the game because of an upper-body injury that was not related to his head. Latta didn’t return to the game because of an arm injury, and Trotz said he’ll be re-evaluated on Tuesday.
But what seemed like a jolt for Buffalo ultimately was the opposite. About two minutes after the fight, Beagle swatted in a rebound off Tom Wilson’s shot, giving Washington a two-goal lead. The Capitals are undefeated in regulation when Beagle has scored a goal during his career.But what seemed like a jolt for Buffalo ultimately was the opposite. About two minutes after the fight, Beagle swatted in a rebound off Tom Wilson’s shot, giving Washington a two-goal lead. The Capitals are undefeated in regulation when Beagle has scored a goal during his career.
With the 2-0 lead, the Capitals played their best hockey in the third period despite being depleted. Buffalo did not register an even-strength shot on goal for about six minutes at one point. [Capitals really thrive when Jay Beagle scores a goal]
Trotz said before the game that an injury to Carlson meant an opportunity for other blue-liners. Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner became the top pair, both skating more than eight minutes in the first period. Connor Carrick played in his first NHL game since the 2013-14 season, paired with Taylor Chorney as the team’s third defensive pairing. “It was kind of a good response by our bench,” Ovechkin said. “I think we got it done. It’s a tough building to play and a pretty skilled team. I think we did a great job.”
All stepped up to post a surprising shutout, and the Capitals again found a new way to win.