Behind nifty goal tending again by G Brent Johnson, the Washington Capitals skated passed the Eastern Conference leaders, the New York Rangers, 3-1. The win kept the Caps on pace, just 2 points behind Southeast division leader Carolina, with a Caps/Hurricanes showdown coming on Wednesday night.
Brooks Laich started out Washington scoring at the 9 minute mark in the first period on a in front of the net stick deflection that was ultimately reviewed. However, Laich’s stick was below the crossbar when he hit the puck, giving Washington a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin on the pwer play. Eight minutes later, Boyd Gordon charged the net and has a scoring opportunity but it was deflected by Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, but D Tom Poti took the deflection from the other side and put it passed Lundqvist for his first goal of the year and a 2-0 Washington lead. Washington out shot New York 13-7 in the first period.
The second period was scoreless and the Caps out shot the Rangers 9-8.
Aaron Voros would slip a goal past Johnson 6 minutes into the third period on a power play to cut the Caps lead to 2-1. The Ranger had additional scoring opportunities including a penalty shot by Chris Drury that was poked away by Johnson. The Ranger pounded Johnson late in the third, including with a 6 on 4, two man advantage within the last 2 minutes of the game. Alexander Semin put the game away with ten seconds left in a clearing the zone, length of the ice shot into the Rangers empty net to give the Capitals the 3-1 win. It was Semin’s 11th goal of the season, moving him up to second in the NHL in goals, 1 behind NHL leader Thomas Vanek.
If there is any question as to why Brent Johnson is starting in goal over Jose Theodore, last night was another strong reason why. Johnson was simply outstanding between the pipes, stopping 27 of 28 shots and making some super impressive stops. Without Johnson’s performances the last few games, the Caps don’t win. That’s the bottom line.
Johnson is playing at a super hot level right now and should remain in Net, period. Over his last three starts in the month of November, Johnson is 3-0 with a 1.63 GAA and a save percentage of .953. Boudreau has repeated several times that he will go with the hot hand and there is no hotter than Brent Johnson. On the season, Johnson is 3-1-0-2 with a GAA of 2.12 and save percentage of .936.
Multi-Point Scorers:
Alexander Semin, 1 goal, 1 assist
Player of the Game:
Brent Johnson, stopped 27 of 28, third straight win.
Notables:
* Tyler Sloan made his return to the ice last night after being called up from Hershey when it was apparent Shaone Morissonn would not be able to play. Sloan teamed with Poti and formed the most effective duo on theice last night. Sloan was pretty impressive last night.
* Brent Johnson is taking full advantage of the opportunity to sieze the netminder job in DC. He has an impressive 1.63 GAA over the last three starts.
* Chris Clark, Morissonn, and Sergei Fedorov did not play last night due to injuries.
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