Braden Holtby blocks all 28 as Washington Capitals shutout Minnesota Wild 3-0 -NHL Update
Braden Holtby was given a crucial test in the Washington net nearing the end of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season. The young goalie certainly did not disappoint as he blocked all 28 shots on net in his fourth appearance to as Washington
Capitals shutout Minnesota Wild, 3-0, on Sunday night, March 25, 2012, at the sold-out Verizon Center.
Washington is now an inch closer to overtaking third spot Florida Panthers, now only three points below the leading South Eastern Division team.
"Every guy in the room is paying attention to what is going on around the League right now," Caps forward, Mike Knuble, said. "It felt good to vindicate ourselves. We showed up today for a game that was a must-win and we won it, so we leave here happy."
Alexander Semin found Jason Chimera open near the Florida net, as the latter redirected his pass midway through the second for the first of the night.
Mathieu Perreault added the second straight for Washington on a power play advantage nearly five minutes later to give Capitals a comfortable lead entering the final period of regulation.
"You can go into a game and be chance-for-chance with them and come out frustrated at the end of the game because they got guys who can capitalise on mistakes," Minnesota coach, Mike Yeo. "We just have to continue to push forward here.”
Alex Ovechkin kept his scoring streak alive by potting the insuring goal of the match and his 36th of the year at the 8:31 mark in round-three.
Washington is feeling the intensity of the playoffs coming to a close and are trying their best to overtake Florida Panthers before it all comes to an end. Now, only down by three points, Capitals have six more games remaining and on a two-game winning streak,
it seems as if Washington just might make it happen.
Minnesota Wild will now return home for the next three, starting off with New York Rangers on Tuesday, a match which definitely will be hard on them.
Capitals are aiming for the win and have the chance as they host Buffalo Sabres on the same day.
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