Capitals Beat Blues for Third Straight Win

Two players scored their first goals as members of the Washington Capitals on Thursday night including the game-winning goal from recently acquired Jason Arnott as they defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2. The win gives the Caps their first back-to-back home victories since and their first three game winning streak since the Winter Classic.

It wasn’t easy for the Caps as they surrendered the first goal of the game again. Chris Stewart found Alexander Steen streaking through the left wing faceoff circle unchecked to give St. Louis the lead midway through the first period. It was Steen’s 18th goal of the season.

“I think they are a quick team and they have lots of talent [on] offense. They have chances and they score goals,” said Washington Captain Alex Ovechkin after the game.

It was Ovechkin who set up the tying goal, finding Chris Stewart’s former Colorado teammate Scott Hannan alone in the slot for the defenseman’s first goal this season and first as a Capital since . It was also his first goal in 118 games (Nov. 23, 2009).

“When I see the opportunity, I try to jump in,” said Hannan. “Obviously, my end is first and foremost and then it’s killing penalties, but if I can help out on that side of the puck, it’s anyway I can.”

The game was only tied for about two minutes. On an offensive zone faceoff, John Erskine misplayed the puck leading to a St. Louis two-on-one break. The Washington defender took away the pass, but BJ Crombeen fired a nice wrister that cleanly beat Michal Neuvirth.

The Capitals answered right back with one of their most impressive goals of the season. Ovechkin quickly redirected a John Carlson outlet pass to spring Mike Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom on a two-on-one break. Knuble flipped the pick over the St. Louis defenseman and Backstrom batted the puck out of midair as if he were a member of the Washington Nationals.

Backstrom even joked about it after the game, saying, “I’ve been working out with [Nationals third baseman] Ryan Zimmerman in the summer.”

The teams battled in the third period until Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich broke up a St. Louis pass to create another odd man rush. Semin, celebrating his 27th birthday, found Jason Arnott with a perfect pass to give the Caps the lead for good.

Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau, who is known to switch his line combinations often, was asked about the play of that line in particular after the game.

“They like playing with each other,” he answered.” Who am I kidding? I’m going to change it at one point, but hopefully, for a while, I can keep them together.”

The win gives the Capitals 80 points in the standings, just one behind Tampa Bay for the division lead. They play the Lightning Monday.

Additional Notes

-       Michal Neuvirth earned his 21st win of the season to give him the franchise rookie record for victories in a season

-       For the second straight game, his second with the team, Dennis Wideman led the team with 22:20 of ice time.

-       While they didn’t score on the power play, the team looked much improved in their one chance, generating multiple scoring chances. The team had a new look with Alex Ovechkin playing his natural left wing position. Dennis Wideman anchored the unit with Nicklas Backstrom and Jason Arnott alternating time at the other point.

-       The Capitals are 30-0-3 when scoring three or more goals.