Capitals Calm the Wild 3-1

Photos: Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat The Minnesota Wild 3-1 Saturday night at Capital One Arena. This was the sixth straight victory over the Wild. The victory raised the Capitals record to 11-9-1. The Capitals return to action Monday night when they host the Calgary Flames at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7:00 PM.

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals. Backup Alex Stalock got the start for Minnesota. Devan Dubnyk was slated for the start but was a late scratch. The Capitals starting lines for the contest:

Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Smith-Pelly
Vrana-Eller-Wilson
Connolly-Beagle-Chiasson
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Chorney-Bowey

Nathan Walker and Aaron Ness were the healthy scratches. Christian Djoos and Andre Burakovsky missed the game due to injury.

FIRST PERIOD
A brisk pace at the start of this one, with scoring chances for both sides. The Wild led in shots on goal 6-3 through the first seven minutes of the contest.

The Capitals would be the first to dent twine with a power play goal by T.J. Oshie at the 9:42 mark of the opening frame. The goal was setup with beautiful passing down low by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Textbook. #CapsWild #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ESSByCYvzp

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 19, 2017

The radio call by John Walton:

The Wild would tie the game shortly thereafter with their own power play goal by Nino Niederreiter at 12:02 f the first period.

The Capitals would regain just 44 seconds later with a blast from the right point by Dmitry Orlov at 12:46 of the opening frame.

O Rly!? #CapsWild #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/s0lfE4bUpl

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 19, 2017

John Walton with the call:

The period would conclude with the Capitals holding on to the 2-1 lead. Washington led in shots on goal 13-12 for the first 20 minutes. Washington was 1 for 1 and Minnesota 1 for 2 on the man advantage.

SECOND PERIOD
The second period saw fairly even play for the first 10 minutes, with Minnesota leading in shots on goal 3-2. Alex Ovechkin took a deflected shot to the face at the 9:00 mark and would leave the game and head to the room for patching.

The period would end with the Capitals leading 2-1. Minnesota led in shots on goal 9-8 for the middle frame. The teams were tied 21-21 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
Alex Ovechkin would return at the start of the third period after receiving a few stitches.

Minnesota had several grade-A chances in the final frame, but puck luck and Braden Holtby would keep the period scoreless.

The Wild were tagged with a 4:00 minute high-sticking penalty late in the game that salted away the victory for the Capitals. Evgeny Kuznetsov would add a power play goal at 17:23 to make it 3-1.

.@Kuzya92‘s PPG to seal it with less than 6 minutes to play tonight means that tomorrow you can get a Free @Subway 6-inch sub with purchase of 30 oz. Drink and Chips! Get your coupon here: https://t.co/ScMu5sIniv #ALLCAPS #CapsWild pic.twitter.com/P6FXBtDZ92

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 19, 2017

John Walton with the radio call:

And that would be the final, as the Caps held on for the 3-1 win. John Walton with the final call:

SHAVINGS:

The Capitals improved to 6-0-1 in games where they scored the first goal.
Washington scored two power play goals for the fifth time this season.
The Capitals recorded 43 shots on goal, a new single-game high this season.
Washington’s 22 shots in the third period was a single period high this season.
Braden Holtby made 30 saves on 31 shots (.968 save percentage) to win his fifth-straight home game and 11th win of the season (11-4-0).
Holtby improved to 8-2-0 all-time against the Wild.
Tonight’s attendance was 18,506, the Capitals 372nd consecutive sellout at Capital One Arena.
The NHL box score is here.