The Washington Capitals NEEDED to win, no IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS about it, and boy did they ever in the friendly confines of the Verizon Center after a nasty 6 game road trip in which the Caps went a stunning 5-1. The Caps took out Carolina 4-1 to move into a FIRST PLACE TIE with Carolina for the Southeast division championship and moving closer to an improbable playoff berth. The Caps also moved with one point of Philadelphia Flyers for the 8th and final playoff spot.
The Caps struck first late in the first period at the 15 minute mark when Matt Cooke scored, assisted by Sergei Fedorov and Mike Green. The Caps would strike again with 59 seconds left int he first period on a power play goal by Brooks Laich. Laich’s goal came about on a heads up pass by Tomas Fleischmann. The Laich goal sent the Verizon Center crowd roaring as the Caps went into the intermission with a 2-0 lead. Caps out shot Carolina 14-6 in the first.
Scott Walker would bring the Hurricanes within 1 in under three minutes into the second period. Then, later int he second period, the Capitals got a power play opportunity and executed with several shot son Cam Ward, and a sweet pass from Mike Green to Alexander Semin, who put it in the net from the right side of a diving Ward. Semin’s power play goal, number 26 on the year for Semin, sent the Verizon Center crowd into a frenzy, and the Caps with an impressive 3-1 lead at the end of the second intermission. Again, the Caps out-shot the Hurricanes in the period 17-8, 31-14 overall.
The third period was dominated by outstanding goal play by Cristobal Huet, who made some pretty amazing saves as the Hurricanes tried to apply pressure to climb back in the game. The Hurricanes didn’t help themselves, getting buried in penalties. It cost them dearly as Alexander Ovechkin scored his 63rd goal off the pipe on a 4 on 4 man advantage to ice the game for the Capitals. It was a completely wicked slap shot that Ward simply never saw. Ovie’s 63rd put the Capitals up 4-1. The Capitals lead the NHL in scoring on 4 on 4 play.
Notables:
Goalie Cristobal Huet won his 7th consecutive game for the Capitals.
The Capitals have won their 5th straight game and a super impressive 9 out of their last 10 games.
Capitals posted a 10-4 record for the month of March.
Multi-Point Scorers:
- Sergei Fedorov, 2 assists
- Mike Green, 2 assists
Goals:
- Matt Cooke (10)
- Brooks Laich (21)
- Alexander Semin (26)
- Alexander Ovechkin (63)
Player of the Game:
Cristobal Huet (21 saves on 22 shots and some amazing saves) and Sergei Fedorov (2 Assists)
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