Despite a late flurry by the Canadiens, the Washington Capitals left with an important win.
The Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens are no strangers to close games. Heading into Saturday’s tilt, eight of the last 11 contests between the two teams have been one-goal decisions. Saturday’s game in Montreal was no different.
Washington held on for a tough 3-2 road win against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Caps wasted no time getting started, as Jay Beagle scored just three minutes into the game to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. Daniel Winnik and Tom Wilson assisted on the gaol and keep the secondary scoring going. For Beagle, his 11th goal set a new career-high.
Montreal’s Alexander Radulov beat Braden Holtby later in the period to tie the game.
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Andre Burakovsky added his 11th goal of the year in the second period to put the Caps up by two. Radulov struck again for the Canadiens to tie the game up, but the goal was waved off due to goalie interference.
Nicklas Backstrom netted a power-play goal early in the third period that turned into the eventual game-winner.
Holtby came up big at the end of the game when the Canadiens had an extra skater on the ice and put a lot of pressure on the Washington net. The Capitals’ top netminder finished the game with 20 saves.
Lars Eller, Brett Connolly and Matt Niskanen each registered a point for the Capitals. Guys in the bottom-six have seemingly been producing for the Caps in every game.
Bell Centre has been a very friendly place to play for the Caps, as they now have points in 14 straight games there.
After a trip back to DC, the Caps will get back on the ice Sunday afternoon for a nationally televised tilt with the Los Angles Kings.