Game # 68 Recap: Caps 5 Edmonton 0

The Capitals put together a good effort against an over matched foe and and once they got the lead never looked back. After a scoreless first period Alex Ovechkin and Eric Fehr converted on the power play. In the third period a combination of good defense and some desperate play from Edmonton lead to three more Capitals goals. With the first career absence from a game by Nicklas Backstrom the top line was centered by Marcus Johansson. This allowed the second line combination of Jason Arnott and Alexander Semin to stay intact. The Caps controlled the puck for most of the game and allowed only 22 shots in the game. In addition, rookie goal tender Braden Holtby logged his first career shutout. It was a stellar shorthanded save by Holtby that seemed to get the team really going in the second period as he stopped Edmonton's Andrew Cagliano on a clean breakaway. The Caps scored the first goal on the same power play. This has been the big difference in the Caps this season as it was the first multiple power play goal night for the team since November 26, 2010. The Caps really clamped down on the defense in the third period alloing only 5 shots in the frame with 4 of them coming in the closing minute. With the win, Washington has closed to within 2 points of Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia.

Of Note:

• Alex Ovechkin finished the night with 2 goals and 1 assist for a 3 point night. The opening goal was his 10th game-winning goal of the season. With the 3 points he passes Michal Pivonka and moves into 3rd place on the Capitals All-Time Points list. His assist on the Eric Fehr power play goal was the 600th point of his career. He now has scored 16 points in his last 11 games.
• Jason Arnott set up Ovechkin's first goal with a fake shot and pass that gave AO a shot at an empty net. For Arnott it was his 900th career point. 
• Eric Fehr returned from a shoulder injury and scored 2 goals. One on the power play and one on a feed from Jason Chimera who outlasted a goalie challenge near the Edmonton blue line. 
• The Caps dominated the shots on goal 36 to 22.
• All three trade deadline acquisitions had an assist in the game with Marco Sturm picking up his first point as a Capital and Dennis Wideman picking up career point #200.
• Alexander Semin scored a goal in his third consecutive game with a pretty two-on-one with Sturm.
• Marcus Johansson assisted on Ovechkin's second goal when Ovechkin stole the puck and he and Johansson went 2-on-none against the goalie. After two back and forth passes Ovechkin buried the puck top shelf.
• The Caps went 2 for 5 on the power play and stopped all 4 Edmonton attempts.
• Other Caps picking up assists were Semin, Carlson, and Laich.
• Jeff Schultz was +2.

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