The Washington Capitlas provided the offensive punch in the 4-2 win over the Montreal Canaidens but what about the defense?
For starters John Carlson made an impact primary style to set up Pierre-Luc Dubois for his 17th assist of the season. That came in the second period to open up D.C.'s scoring. On the first of Tom Wilson's two goals on the night it was Matt Roy with the secondary assist for his sixth of the season.
Only two penalties were made by the Caps the whole night. Lars Eller got whistled for slashing in the second perod at 12:29. In the third at 18:26 Carlson was called for cross checking Nick Suzuki. Caps would kill off both penalties. For Eller it was his 500th game in a Caps sweater, shoutout to the Tiger!
Carlson's 17th assist on PLD's goal and the defenseman is now six points shy of becoming the 31st defenseman in NHL history to record 700 career points. It all added up to the Caps league leading 11th comeback win of the season to extend their road franchise winning streak record to nine games, a stretch that began on Nov. 9.
With Jakob Chychrun's assist on the final goal by Dylan Strome, along with Roy's assist on one of Wilson's goals it upped the defensive offensive numbers. Caps defensemen have combined for 75 points with 16 goals and 59 assists this season. That marks the second highest total in the NHL.
Grade A: Caps held the power play without a shot in the entire game. The Caps also didn't allow a goal in the entire third period. Pretty good defensive effort if you ask us. And back to Tom Wilson for a second.
Wilson took a Chychrun shot to the face. Stayed in the game and then got player of the game as a result. That is true captaincy and leadership right there especially in the absense of Alex Ovechkin.
Caps are off today from practice but will return to the ice at 10:30 a.m. for practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. They'll be off on Tuesday but back on the ice same time same place on Wednesday morning.
The Caps will then hit the road once again to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network.