The Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 Wednesday night at Verizon Center. The win improves the Capitals record to 27-9-5. The win also moves the Capitals into second place in the Metropolitan Division, ahead of the Penguins. The Caps next host the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night at Verizon Center. Puck-drop is 7:00 PM. 

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals. Marc-Andre Fleury got the start between the pipes for the Penguins.

Taylor Chorney was the healthy scratch for the Capitals. Liam O’Brien and Paul Carey were reassigned to Hershey on Tuesday (1/10).

Pittsburgh and Washington were tied in the standings with 57 points each, heading into the game.

QUICK NOTES

• Alex Ovechkin wasted no time, notching his 1,000th career NHL point on a goal just 35 seconds into the contest.
• Ovechkin had a stellar game, with two goals.
• Nicklas Backstrom continued his strong play against the Penguins, with a goal and three assists in this game. He now has 3 goals and 8 assists in the three games versus Pittsburgh this season.
• Braden Holtby continues to play at a very high-level.
• Evgeny Kuznetsov continues to heat up.
• The Capitals penalty kill continues its strong play, but yielded two goals in the third period.
• The Capitals have outscored the Penguins 12-3 in the last two meetings.
• The Capitals are now alone in second place of the highly contested Metropolitan Division.
• The Capitals have now won seven straight games.
• This was the Capitals’ 338th consecutive sellout at Verizon Center.

FIRST PERIOD
Alex Ovechkin notched the 1,000th point of his NHL career just 35 seconds into the contest. The goal came on the end of a savvy, break-away, finished by a nice wrister by Ovechkin.

No caption needed #Ovech1Kin#CapsPenspic.twitter.com/a0XqeA9d0q

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

Another angle of the #Ovech1Kin goal featuring @WaltonCaps‘ goal call. Chills. #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/6Ua4JapOVX

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

The remainder of the period would go scoreless. The Penguins picked up their offensive attack midway through the period, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Penguins led in shots on goal 13-9 through the first 20 minutes of play.

SECOND PERIOD
Alex Ovechkin would give the Capitals a 2-0 lead on a power play goal from the office at 8:06 of the middle frame.

So much snipe #Ovech1Kin#CapsPenspic.twitter.com/vtL6Y6vFB2

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

The second period would end with the Capitals leading 2-0. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 11-10 for the middle frame. Pittsburgh led in shots on goal 23-20 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
Justin Williams stretched the lead to 3-0 on the end of a patented Evgeny Kuznetsov pass from behind the goal at 4:31 of the final frame.

It’s a twister! It’s a twister! 🌪#CapsPenspic.twitter.com/XSCa9Uf6lU

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

The Penguins would get on the board with a power play goal at the 7:46 mark of the third period. Evgeni Malkin would be credited with the goal that actually deflected off of Matt Niskanen’s stick.

Nicklas Backstrom would regain the three-goal margin on the end of a sweet feed from TJ Oshie at 13:11 of the third period.

Oshie goes full quarterback #CapsPenspic.twitter.com/Octcrb5IzK

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

The Penguins would add another power play goal by Patric Hornqvist with 2:36 left in the game to close the gap to 4-2.

The Capitals would add an empty net goal by Lars Eller for the 5-2 win.

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps

SCENES FROM VERIZON CENTER

Check out the line to get into Verizon Center 2 min before they drop the puck. Never seen it like this!!! #CapsPens pic.twitter.com/VF2to97Nwd

— Carol Maloney (@carolmaloney4) January 12, 2017

Waiting for the players to walk out for warm-ups #CapsPenspic.twitter.com/B8DplhthPk

— JGH64 (@JennGH_CapsFan) January 12, 2017

It’s History! #Ovech1Kin pic.twitter.com/aQOiXqE4YE

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

The #Ovech1Kin Puck. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/UXGgd8JWJD

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

When you almost get hit in the head with the puck @Capitals#CapsPenspic.twitter.com/lVOeEd8sgh

— Madison Nahrup (@Madison_Nahrup) January 12, 2017

Victory March! #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/fJJD3QtsAH

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

Your First Star ⭐️ – #Ovech1Kin pic.twitter.com/Gm3VyHJd1v

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 12, 2017

And the steps are empty… pic.twitter.com/MtnRcNWdXf

— Karen (@CamaroWRX) January 12, 2017

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