The Washington Capitals overcame the Detroit Red Wings with a 1-0 shutout win Friday night.
The Goal:
Capitals forward Jay Beagle scored the game’s only goal off a rebound of teammate Dmitry Orlov’s slap shot.
“I just kind of spun around and saw a wide open net so I just tried to get it as I was falling,” Beagle said, according to ESPN.
Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard flung himself to his right in attempt to stop Beagle’s open shot.
The fifteenth minute score was the only blemish in Howard’s otherwise perfect night.
“Somehow, the puck had eyes, got through, went off my left skate, went right back out in front,” Howard said, per ESPN.
Injury Bug:
In the first period alone, three Capitals left the game with upper body injuries.
“I mean, we lost three forwards early,” Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said, according to The Washington Post. “And then there was a couple skate problems. I thought it was a really gutsy effort.”
Washington forwards Andre Burakovsky, Lars Eller and T.J. Oshie never returned to the game after their first period injuries. Team doctors will reevaluate the trio Saturday.
“I got a flu shot today with one of our doctors,” Trotz added, per ESPN. “I said, ‘knock on wood, we haven’t had any injuries,’ and we … [talked] about … how fortunate that was, and I should have just kept my mouth shut.”
Trotz also noted he will likely recall a forward from the Capitals’ Hershey Bears affiliate in case the injuries are significant.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a game where three guys go down all within the first 10 minutes of the game,” Beagle said, according to The Washington Post. “It gives you a chance to step up, though, play more minutes …”
Shutout Goaltending:
Both goalies dominated on the night, making unlikely saves.
In the game’s final minute, Washington goalie Braden Holtby lunged and successfully blocked the potential game-tying shot with his leg pad.
Holtby saved all 25 of Detroit’s shots, earning his first shutout of the year and 24th of his career.
“On any given night we know [Holtby is] going to show up,” Capitals forward Tom Wilson said, per ESPN. “We know he’s going to be one of the best players on the ice if not the best.”
Holtby has allowed an average of one goal per game in his past three starts.
“When we needed a big save, we got that from [Holtby], and when we needed a big goal, we got that from [Beagle],” Trotz said of the shutout, per The Washington Post.
Howard also held his own for the Red Wings. He saved 27 of the 28 Washington shots.
Penalty Kill:
Despite losing two penalty killers in Oshie and Eller, the Capitals escaped all four of the Red Wings’ power plays without allowing a goal.
“There’s no question we should have scored on one of those power play looks,” Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill said, according to ESPN. “When you’re not scoring, you’ve got to find a way to be ferocious, get to the net, score dirty goals, score the ugly, greasy goals.”
The Red Wings’ struggle with the man advantage followed their two power-play goal game Tuesday.
The Capitals also failed to score in their power play chances Friday. Washington scored in two of its seven chances with a man advantage in its last game.
Standings:
The Capitals improved to 11-4-2 and remained in second place in the Metropolitan Division. The New York Rangers lead Washington by two points.
The seventh place Red Wings fell to 8-9-1 with their third straight loss. Only the Buffalo Sabres place below Detroit in the Atlantic Division.
What’s Next:
The Capitals will play the Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday afternoon. The contest will be Washington’s third of a five-game home-stand. The Blue Jackets defeated the Capitals in overtime 2-1 Tuesday.
Detroit will travel home to face the Calgary Flames Sunday night.
