Final - 2OT
Playoff-hopeful Capitals beat Canadiens in SO
Apr 1, 2012 - 3:25 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Matt Hendricks scored in the first round of the shootout as the Washington Capitals picked up a big 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.The win moves Washington to 88 points on the season, two clear of Buffalo, which lost to Toronto on Saturday, for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Also, Washington is two points behind Ottawa for the seventh spot.
Mathieu Perreault and Jay Beagle each scored in regulation while Michal Neuvirth posted 38 saves for the Capitals, who have won three of their last four.
"Everyone is pumped out there right now," said Washington head coach Dale Hunter. "There's a lot of excitement in our locker room and we're going to keep carrying it into the playoffs."
Tomas Plekanec and Erik Cole each lit the lamp for the Canadiens, who have lost seven of their last eight. Peter Budaj stopped 31 shots.
"The guys worked hard tonight and I thought they deserved a better fate," said Montreal head coach Randy Cunneyworth. "We crawled out of a hole and worked hard so there's nothing to be upset about with this game, we just came up a little short."
Hendricks scored on the first attempt of the shootout while Neuvirth made stops on David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty before Alexander Semin scored to seal the win.
Washington scored 4:16 into the first as Semin fired a shot on net from the left circle that was stopped. However, he gathered his rebound and centered it for a one-timer from Perreault.
It was a 2-0 game with 3:50 to play in the first as a 3-on-1 break saw Hendricks send a pass from the left circle to the front, where Beagle shoved it in.
Montreal got one back with just 21.5 seconds to play in the first when Pacioretty charged down the left wing before getting a shot on net from in front and Cole was there to stuff in the rebound.
The Habs tied the game with 5:29 to play in the second as Plekanec took a pass down the right wing and lifted a shot in high for his 16th of the season.
Budaj stopped 11 shots while Neuvirth made 13 saves in the third and four in overtime to force the shootout.
Game Notes
Washington center Nicklas Backstrom returned to play for the first time since January 3. He had been out after taking an elbow to the head against then- Calgary forward Rene Bourque. He was minus-one in close to 20 minutes of ice time...Washington plays in Tampa on Monday...Montreal hosts the Lightning on Wednesday...Washington swept the season series with Montreal and has won nine of the last 11 meetings.
- MONTREAL: 2
WASHINGTON: 3
Final - 2OT
Mar 31 9:58 PM - MONTREAL: 2
WASHINGTON: 2
End of OT
Mar 31 9:50 PM - MONTREAL: 2
WASHINGTON: 2
End of Regulation
Mar 31 9:41 PM - MONTREAL: 2
WASHINGTON: 2
End of 2nd
Mar 31 8:47 PM - MONTREAL: 1
WASHINGTON: 2
End of 1st
Mar 31 7:49 PM - MONTREAL: 0
WASHINGTON: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Mar 31 7:15 PM
Related News
- Capitals @ Lightning Game Thread Mar 30
- Eyes On The Prize is on the move Mar 30
- Kirby Dach out at least one week with an upper-body injury Mar 30
- Thursday Caps Clips: Shootout Sadness Mar 30
- Habs vs. Panthers Game preview Mar 30
- Links: Jordan Harris learns there’s less protection in the NHL Mar 30
- Capitals vs. Islanders Recap: Isles Capture Shootout Win Mar 29
- Capitals vs. Islanders Game Thread Mar 29
- One More Rink Update Mar 29
- Rating The Tank: Fly away edition Mar 29
- Wednesday Caps Clips: Capitals vs. Islanders Game Day Mar 29
- Heineman and Teasdale score twice in Rocket win Mar 29