Photo: @Capitals

The Washington Capitals defeated the Detroit Red Wings by a final score of 3-1 at Capital One Arena on late Friday afternoon to extend their winning streak to four. Detroit entered the game winning nine of their past 11 games, including their past two. Goaltender Braden Holtby made 31 saves for his third consecutive win. 

Capitals Lines vs. Red Wings

#Caps‘ lines vs DET:
8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 43-Wilson
13-Vrana, 20-Eller, 10-Connolly
65-Burakovsky, 72-Boyd, 25-Smith-Pelly
18-Stephenson, 26-Dowd, 23-Jaskin

6-Kempny, 74-Carlson
9-Orlov, 2-Niskanen
29-Djoos, 22-Bowey

Holtby vs. Bernier #CapsWings

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) November 23, 2018

Forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie each missed their fourth consecutive games with possible concussions and are still labeled as day-to-day. The Capitals went with the same lineup from their 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Former Capitals defenseman Mike Green suited up in his 800th career NHL game against his former team on Friday for Detroit.

First Period

Forward Andreas Athanasiou got Detroit on the board first striking from the left circle and going blocker side on Holtby after forward Thomas Vanek fed him from behind the net after a Capitals penalty expired 8:46 into the game.

The Capitals led 7-4 in takeaways and 9-5 in hits in the first period. They also won 62% of the faceoffs in the first 20 minutes.

The Red Wings led 14-5 in shots after the first period. They went 0-for-1 on the man advantage in the first period.

Each team was credited with two takeaways and six blocked shots in the first period.

Second Period

Forward Tom Wilson sniped a shot under the crossbar blocker side to beat goaltender Jonathan Bernier after getting a pass from the birthday boy, Nicklas Backstrom with 7:47 left in the second. It was Wilson’s third goal and seventh point in six games since returning from a 16-game suspension.

Birthday Boy Backy serves it up and Whip sends it home #Caps 1 – Red Wings 1 #CapsWings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/nVYnjPZYMb

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 23, 2018

The Capitals led 8-4 in second-period shots, 14-11 in blocked shots, 10-6 in takeaways, and 20-8 in hits after two periods of play. They won 62% of the faceoffs through 40 minutes.

The Red Wings led 18-13 in shots through 40 minutes. They only had three takeaways while the Capitals had five.

Each team went 0-for-2 on the man advantage through two.

Third Period

Defenseman Michal Kempny bombed it glove side on goaltender Jonathan Bernier from the top of the left circle on a pass from center Travis Boyd down low 6:44 into the period for a 2-1 Capitals lead and Kempny’s second goal in as many games. The defenseman left the game after the team huddle but returned with repairs in his nose.

Devo with the screen on the Kempny snipe!#Caps up 2 – 1 in the third. #CapsWings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vaRzmywNuR

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 23, 2018

Captain Alex Ovechkin unleashed a wicked wrister from the right dot for his 16th goal of the season after receiving a pass from center Nic Dowd in the slot nearly two minutes later. Wilson recorded another assist on the goal, which extended the Capitals’ lead to 3-1.

And just like that, its 3-1 thanks to Ovi! #CapsWings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/xFWdps8DKd

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 23, 2018

The Capitals led 21-14 in blocked shots, 11-8 in takeaways, and 23-12 in hits. They won 58% of the faceoffs.

The Red Wings led 32-20 in shots, including 14-7 in third-period shots. They only had five takeaways while the Capitals had 12.

Each team went 0-for-3 on the man advantage.

The Capitals start their annual fathers trip tomorrow afternoon when they visit the red-hot New York Rangers, who have won nine of their last 12 games. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden is at 2 PM on NBC Sports Washington.

By Harrison Brown