In Washington, DC, Alex Ovechkin scored his 49th goal of the season to break a 1-1 tie in the third period and send the capitals to a 4-1 win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.
“I had lots of chances to score tonight, but finally I got one because I think the last couple games I didn’t use my chances,” Ovechkin said. “It was an important goal and I’m happy with the win.”
Alex Ovechkin scored 49th of the season – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The Caps improved to 45-24-8 and are three points clear for the top spot in the Metro Division.
Washington is 11-3-1 in their 15 matches.
Braden Holtby made 27 saves to get the Caps win.
Dougie Hamilton scored the lone Canes goal.
“They were good. We were not,” Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Put those two together and we really had no chance in that game. That’s what it felt like the whole way. We never got to our game.”
The Hurricanes dropped to 42-27-7 and still hold the fist wild card spot in the Eastern Conference; they trail the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders who are tied for second in the division.,
T.J. Oshie and John Carlson also scored for the Caps.
“Obviously, their high-end skill (guys) made a big play and [Ovechkin] scored goals like he does,” Carolina forward Justin Williams said. “And you get behind and they made another play.”
Nicklas Backstrom added an empty-net goal to seal it.
[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Capitals highlights]
Petr Mrazek made 24 saves in the loss.
“I think we were maybe a little bit [fortunate], but I think we liked the position we were in [after two periods],” Hamilton said. “We talked about how good we’ve been in the third being in those positions and on the road and stuff against the best teams. We were fine with it and we didn’t show up really.”
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