Capitals make statement with win against Blackhawks

The Washington Capitals defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 to maintain their home supremacy in their first game following the trade deadline. The team shown heart.

At 13:16, Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome set up Tom Wilson for a power play goal that put the score at 3-0. After one, the Caps were up 3-0 and there were twelve shots each way. Up until then, the Caps had only allowed one Blackhawks power play opportunity to be stopped.

At 13:16 Tom Wilson deflected in a power play goal to make it 3-0 and it was set up by Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin. Shots were even at 12 apiece after one as the Caps led 3-0. The Caps stopped only one Blackhawks power play opportunity they faced up to that point. Sonny Milano made it four to zip at 17:24 with a wrist shot that came off another assist from Protas. It was Milano’s 10th of the season.

That would be the score after two and shots were even at eight apiece. In the third the Blackhawks solved Charlie Lindgren with a goal from Tyler Johnson. Former Capital Zach Sanford had the secondary assist there. It came at 9:49. Other than that one blip Lindgren finished with 29 saves on 30 shots.

The Capitals had the edge in blocked shots 16-8 while the Blackhawks had the 10-6 edge in shots in the final 20 minutes to outshoot the Caps 30-26 but this was a big win for many reasons.

Now the Caps have 69 points and with the Lightning scoring a touchdown and extra point on Philly, the Caps are now three points back of the Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Now that’s a nice spot to be in. This is March.