Alex Ovechkin scores twice for Washington Capitals as Braden Holtby shuts out Edmonton Oilers
Washington couldn’t have hoped for a better night, shutting out the young Edmonton Oilers’ team by an embarrassing 5-0 score at its home rink at the Verizon Center in Washington, District of Columbia. This extended Capitals’ wins to six straight games and
took them high in the Eastern Conference to the number-two spot.
Numerous Washington Capitals’ players recorded some high career numbers on Wednesday night.
Braden Holtby registered his first ever career shutout, making 22 saves, while Alex Ovechkin who scored double goals for the Capitals reached 601 points and Jason Arnott along with Dennis Wideman posted 900 and 600 career points, respectively.
"It means a lot to Alex, I would think. I was glad to see it", Capitals’ coach, Bruce Boudreau, said. "It must have been something in the water. Two-hundredth point, 900th point, 600th point. It's all great stuff. I'm glad we got them out of the way; I hope
if there's any other milestones we get them out of the way so guys don't press for things".
Fans were treated to ten free hot wings each with Washington scoring five goals sponsored by a local restaurateur, so pretty much it was a win-win situation for all except for Edmonton which has lost its second consecutive game now.
It looked like Washington was toying with Oilers, not getting any in the first 20 minutes, but firing the puck into the net twice in the second period, and another three times in the final to add the cherry on top.
Ovechkin scored the first during a power-play when Ryan Jones was sent packing to the benches for kneeing John Erskine followed by Eric Fehr adding a second from a missed shot by John Carlson within another five minutes taking advantage of the second awarded
power-play.
Alex scored his second of the match and 27th of the season, early into the third period, again pursued by Fehr and Alexander Semin shooting off a nice side pass from Marco Sturm widening the gap to 5-0, with a little over five minutes remaining.
That was the end for Edmonton, who looked quite after that fifth and final goal on Nikolai Khabibulin who struggled to make 31 out of 36 saves.
"It was one of those nights where he was alone back there a number of times," said Edmonton’s coach, Tom Renney, who was not only surprised at the poor performance from his team but added that it was bound to happen as the team didn’t manage positions and
the puck well.
Washington Capitals has taken charge and look ready for the playoffs. This has been its first win in which it has won by more than one, the last being in early February.
It is now ahead of rivals, Boston Bruins, sitting comfortably in second position with 86 points, just below conference leaders, Philadelphia Flyers, by two points.
Two games are left in Washington’s three-game home stand, where they’ll host Carolina and Chicago in upcoming days, then flying off on a six-game road trip, starting with Montreal.
Edmonton doesn’t have any high expectations in the remainder of the season, with only 54 points, Oilers is the lowest ranked squad in the NHL.
Unfortunately, sitting in a highly competitive Western Conference doesn’t make things easier for Edmonton Oilers.
It is 2-1 on a five-game road trip. The remaining two games will be extremely tough for Oilers as it goes up against two of the biggest teams, Detroit and Pittsburgh, on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
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