The Washington Capitals (18-9-3) returned home after a four-game road trip. They were able to squeak by the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-10-6) for the 2-0 victory on Sunday night.
Logan Thompson was the MVP of the game as he stopped all 39 shots that went his way. He ended up recording his 100th career win in the process.
Jakob Chychrun recorded the Capitals’ first goal in the second period, while Aliaksei Protas scored on an empty net late in regulation.
With the win, the Capitals extended their point streak to eight games (7-0-1) and improve to 10-1-1 in their last 12 games.
The Capitals will be off the ice for a few days as their next game will be this Thursday at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Capitals Analysis
The Capitals mostly relied on their defense throughout the evening, as Logan Thompson really stepped up. He stopped all 39 of Columbus’ shots as he recorded his seventh career shutout.
The 28-year-old netminder has boasted a .955 save percentage over his last six starts and is now 13-6-2 on the season.
While the Capitals were unable to convert on any of their four power plays, it was the penalty kill that succeeded. The team went a perfect 3-for-3 while shorthanded, as they killed off a double minor in the third period.
The first goal of the game came in the middle frame when Chychrun fired a one-timer off a feed from Tom Wilson. He now leads all NHL defensemen with 11 goals on the year.
Aliaksei Protas added an empty-net goal late to seal the game and extend his point streak to five games.
However, it wasn’t easy as the Capitals were without Ryan Leonard, who was placed on IR after taking a high hit from Anaheim’s Jacob Trouba the previous game.
Thankfully, Ethen Frank was able to fill in for Leonard on a new-look third line with Anthony Beauvillier and Nic Dowd. Frank did his part by drawing penalties on the 5-on-5 and slotting in on the team’s first power play.
Capitals Report Card
Team: A
There wasn’t a whole lot of scoring, but the Capitals stepped up on defense and did just enough on offense for the victory.
Logan Thompson: A+
This was Thompson’s night as he made 39 saves for his seventh career shutout. He improves to 13-6-2 on the season.
Capitals Special Teams: B+
While the Capitals went 0-for-4 on the man advantage, they went a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, with one of them being a double minor.
Jakob Chychrun: A
Chychrun recorded the game-winning goal in the second period, as his 11 tallies give him the edge over all NHL blueliners.
Tom Wilson: B+
Wilson fed the one-timer to Chychrun on that goal, with the assist giving him points in eight of the last nine games. He has also been involved in the game-opening goal in four of the last five games.
Ethen Frank: B-
Frank did his part by filling in for Leonard on the third line and drawing penalties on the 5-on-5. Though he didn’t do much in Leonard’s position on the first power play.
