Semyon Varlamov shutout Montreal and the Capitals scored 2 goals in the first period and ended up with a 3-0 win. After defending 2 Montreal plays in the first five minutes of the game, the Capitals broke through with a great individual effort by Jay Beagle. The Hershey call up took the puck out from behind the net skated out and backhanded the puck into the net. It was the second goal for Beagle since being called up on December 15th. The Caps got the second goal from a Mike Green one timer off of a slick pass from Nicklas Backstrom. The Caps held Montreal in check for most of the night. Washington blocked 18 shots and did not allow a goal in 5 Montreal power play attempts. The Capitals still have yet to figure out their own power play as they went 0 for 8 on the night. This is the one area the team needs to improve on to become more effective. The scoring was closed out in the final minute of the game with Alex Ovechkin collecting an empty net goal off a clear from Karl Alzner. The team will now gear up for the big New Year's Day showdown with Pittsburgh in the Winter Classic.
Of Note:
- Semyon Varlamov got his 6th win and 2nd shutout of the season. He stopped all 25 shots he faced and 58 of 60 in the last two games. The Caps have to be extremely happy with the play of their two young goaltenders. They seem to be pushing each other quite well.
- Mike Green scored his 7th goal of the season and has 2 goals and 1 assist in his last 3 games.
- The Capitals dominated the face-off dot winning 36 and losing only 16 draws. Nicklas Backstrom went 10-2 and David Steckel went 15-7,
- Jay Beagle has 2 goals on the season, both were game-winners.
- Eric Fehr and Matt Hendricks assisted on Beagle's goal.
- Scott Hannan was +1.
- Alex Ovechkin scored his 14th goal of the season and has goals in back to back games.
Official Reacp
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