Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Montreal Canadiens thumped the Washington Capitals 5-2 Friday night at Capital One Arena. The loss drops the Capitals record to 14-3-4 (32 points) on the season, good enough for first place in the Metropolitan Division, five points ahead of the New York Islanders. The Capitals are back in action on Saturday when they visit the Boston Bruins. Puck drop is set for just after 7:00 PM.

GAME STATS

• NHL box score
• Evolving Hockey
• Natural Stat Trick
• Money Puck
• Game Stat Card

GAME SUMMARY
After a scoreless opening frame, the Canadiens would score four goals in the middle frame for a 4-0 lead at the second intermission. The Caps would answer with two goals early in the final frame to make it 4-2, but could inch any closer. The Canadiens would add an empty net goal at the end for the 5-2 win.

STARTERS
Ilya Samsonov (5-1-0-1, 2.45 GAA, .915 sv%) got the start in goal for the Capitals. Carey Price (9-4-0-2, 2.65 GAA, .916 sv% ) got the start between the pipes for the Canadiens. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

#Caps‘ lines vs. MON:
8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 77-Oshie
13-Vrana, 92-Kuznetsov, 43-Wilson
18-Stephenson, 20-Eller, 14-Panik
28-Leipsic, 21-Hathaway

6-Kempny, 74-Carlson
9-Orlov, 33-Gudas
34-Siegenthaler, 3-Jensen
78-Lewington

Samsonov vs. Price. #CapsHabs

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) November 15, 2019

Scratches: Carl Hagelin (Upper-body injury – day-to-day), Nic Dowd (hand laceration – day-to-day).

The Capitals re-assigned Travis Boyd and Tyler Lewington to Hershey on Monday, in order to make salary cap space for the return of Richard Panik. The Capitals then recalled Lewington on Friday to face the Canadiens. With the injury to Hagelin, the Capitals roster for the game included 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals and Canadiens skated to a scoreless draw if the first frame. The Canadiens had a healthy advantage with the possession, leading in shot attempts 26-16. The led in shots on goal 15-9. There were no penalties called in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD
The Canadiens would finally dent twine with a tally from Phillip Danault at 6:22 of the middle frame.

🚨 Phillip Danault
1-0 #Habs pic.twitter.com/dzU0Rv2wFQ

— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) November 16, 2019

The Canadiens would extend their lead to 2-0 with a missle from Shea Weber at 9:16 of the second period.

always room in my content rotation for these Shea Weber nuke bombs pic.twitter.com/6XhPndDfIH

— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) November 16, 2019

The Canadiens would make it 3-0 with a tally from Jordan Weal at 11:41 of the second period.

🚨 Jordan Weal
3-0 #Habs pic.twitter.com/R2X5pq35f2

— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) November 16, 2019

The Canadiens would make it 4-0 with a goal from Nick Suzuki at 14:42 of the second period.

🚨 Nick Suzuki
4-0 #Habs pic.twitter.com/SKdRW8aDUS

— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) November 16, 2019

The second period would come to a close with the Canadiens leading 4-0. Montreal led in shots on goal 15-9 and 30-18 for the first 40 minutes.

THIRD PERIOD
The Caps would see their first power play of the game just over four minutes into the third period after the Canadiens were nailed for interference. The Capitals wouldn’t disappoint and got on the board thanks to a dart from Alex Ovechkin, who beat Price to put the home team within three. John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom were credited with assists on the goal.

Ovi from his office we get one back! pic.twitter.com/dmgoEdzffo

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 16, 2019

The Capitals would get within two on a goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov, who beat Price on a breakaway to bring the score to 4-2.  The goal came on an assist from Tom Wilson.

Don’t let Kuzy get out on the breakway 😎 pic.twitter.com/ft9RJW2uo8

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 16, 2019

The push from the Caps would not be enough, however, as Tomas Tatar scored on an empty Washington net to secure the 5-2 win for the Habs. The Canadiens heavily outshot the Capitals, 40-27.

SHAVINGS

• The NHL box score is here.

SCENES FROM THE DISTRICT

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A post shared by Washington Capitals (@capitals)

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A post shared by Washington Capitals (@capitals)

3rd period underway! #CapsHabs

📺 https://t.co/F149ypQ0yY
🎙 @CapitalsRadio pic.twitter.com/VszQG4aw0l

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 16, 2019