Vokoun helps Washington Capitals top division with 43 saves in 2-1 victory over Carolina Hurricanes - NHL Update
The Washington Capitals managed to keep out the Carolina Hurricanes to win their third straight game and go top of the Southeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference with 2-1 victory at the Verizon Center in Washington.
It was an important night for the Capitals who started the season well but struggled in the middle with a string of losses and inconsistent performances. However, the Capitals are back and the win over Carolina will boost their confidence considerably in
the run-in for the playoffs.
The Capitals improve to a 24-17-2 record with 50 points and are above the Florida Panthers due to winning more games.
Carolina Hurricanes remain near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after their two game winning streak was snapped by the Capitals. The Hurricanes came into the game with a brilliant 4-2 victory over defending Stanley Cup winners Boston Bruins but the
Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun was not in the mood to let the Hurricanes build on that win.
The Hurricanes record stands at 16-24-7 and are 19 points adrift of the final playoff spot.
Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun became a hero and was a brick wall in front of the hurricanes offence. Vokoun made 43 saves during the game to keep his team in the game and let in only a single goal during the game.
"It was a big game here tonight; we knew it was," Capitals coach Dale Hunter said. "We talked about it -- to get back, the top of the standings in our division. It's an important win for us."
Vokoun himself was pleased with the win and believes that his team is learning how to handle the adversity in fighting for a playoff berth rather than the usual win after win that the Capitals are more accustomed to.
"In past years, they were cruising through the regular season and never got through the challenge (of the playoffs). This year it looks like it's going to be a fight for the playoffs until the end, and it's almost like those teams who are fighting for a
long time, they're ready for the playoffs."
The first half saw no goals as both teams tried to break through. The deadlock was maintained for most of the second period with Vokoun being called on many times to keep the Hurricanes out.
The Capitals finally broke the tie at 16:57 of the second period against the run of play with Alexander Semin beating Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward who saved 22 Capitals shots during the game.
It did not take long however, for the Hurricanes to equalise. Jussi Jokinen took full advantage of the power play to finally beat Vokoun with just 17 seconds left in the second period.
Even though the Hurricanes outshot the Capitals 44-24 in the match their lack of finishing touch cost them dearly. In the third period Capitals forward Dmitry Orlov scored his first goal of the season and the winner to give the Capitals an important win.
The Capitals will now face the New York Islanders on Tuesday while the Hurricanes will look to get back to winning ways against Pittsburgh Penguins.
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