In a great game played between the Capitals and the Blackhawks, Washington found a way to come away with the 4-3 win in overtime. It was a back and forth affair with Chicago taking a 1-0 lead in the first only to have Boyd Gorden even the score shorthanded. A misplay at the Caps blue line allowed Gordon to race down the right wing and fire home a slapshot from just inside the face-off circle. Mike Gartner would be so proud. The Caps took the lead late in the first while on the power play. Jason Arnott unloaded a low hard slapshot from the left point that found two goalposts before going in. The second period was pretty even but Chicago evened the the score at 2-2 when a shot behind the goal line caught Caps goalie Braden Holtby leaning and the puck deflected off his back into the net. The Caps regained the lead in the third period with a grinding effort along the boards. Eric Fehr won a puck battle along the rear wall and feed Brooks Laich in the slot. Laich shot home the puck for his 14th goal of the season. The Caps held the lead until the final minute and with a man in the penalty box faced the Blackhawks power play plus an extra skater with the goalie pulled. Chicago tied the game to force overtime. In overtime the Capitals really went for the win picking up all 6 shots on goal in the extra period. The game ended with Marcus Johansson making a nice pass to Mike Knuble who was camped in front of the Chicago net. Knuble calmly moved the puck from backhand to forehand and elevated the puck over the goalie's outstretched leg pad. The Caps record their 8th consecutive win and climb to within 1 standings point of the Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Flyers.
Of Note:
Braden Holtby won his 4th game of the week and allowed just 4 goals against in those games.
Mike Knuble scored the game-winner for his 15th goal of the season. It was his 6th GWG in his Capitals career.
The Caps 21 shots by Chicago with Jeff Schultz leading the team with 5.
Boyd Gordon scored the 7th shorthanded goal of the season for the Capitals, for Gordon it was his 5th career shorty.
The Caps went 1 for 2 on the power play and stopped 3 of 4 Chicago power plays, The Caps have allowed only 3 power play goal against on their current 8-game run.
Dennis Wideman picked up 2 assists while Brroks Laich, Alexander Semin, Matt Hendricks, Eric Fehr and Marcus Johansson each had 1.
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