The Washington Capitals scored three goals in the third period to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 3-0. What helped keep the Caps in the game throughout the afternoon was the play of goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who's literally been the best goalie in the entire NHL this month of March.
Lindgren faced 27 shots on the night and stopped every single one. That included 23 shots at five on five and four shots on the Jets power play. Jets went 0 for 2 on the man advantage. The Caps went one for three but that one goal broke the scoreless tie enabling Lindgren to get the win. It came from John Carlson while the next two came from Alex Ovechkin.
It was Lindgren's fifth shutout in 39 games played this season. Entering the season, Lindgren had just two in his first 60 games. It was Chuck's eighth win in March which is the most in the NHL this month.
Over his last 10 appearances, Lindgren has posted a 7-2-0 record with a 2.02 goals against average, a .931 save percentage, and two shuouts over his last 10 appearances.
Grade A+: Lindgren's perfromance was what kept the Capitals in the game. Those three goals were great but those 27 shots from the opposition that Lindgren turned away were just as vital to getting the Capitals the second wild card spot with a game in hand.
Now the Red Wings come to town on a Tuesday night. The Caps have already been playing playoff hockey having had to chase the Red Wings for nearly a month. Now the Red Wings are the ones chasing them. The Flyers also lost to the Panthers and they got the Rangers on Tuesday night. Caps are just two points back of Philly so a Caps win Tuesday and a Rangers win over the Flyers would do a lot of wonders.