Braden Holtby stopped all 32 shots he faced tonight to earn his career-high seventh shutout of the season. The Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, native has also earned career-highs in wins (30) and games played (55) this season. Holtby has registered three shutouts, a 1.72 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in his last 14 starts (1/28-3/1). Holtby is the second goaltender in Capitals history to record at least seven shutouts in one season, joining Jim Carey (nine shutouts in 1995-96).
Alex Ovechkin registered three points (2g, 1a), marking his fifth three-point game of the season and his 11th multi-goal game of 2014-15. Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (41), and this season marks the seventh time in his career and the second consecutive season Ovechkin has reached the 40-goal plateau. Ovechkin becomes the 10th player in NHL history to record 40 or more goals in seven of his first 10 NHL seasons, joining Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Mario Lemieux, Dale Hawerchuk, Jari Kurri, Michel Goulet, Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy and Marcel Dionne.
Ovechkin’s goal at 0:33 of the first period marked the Capitals fastest goal to start a game this season. Ovechkin has earned 15 points in his last 11 games (2/8-3/1: 9g, 6a) and has scored 25 goals in his last 29 games (12/29-3/1: 25g, 12a). The Moscow native is now 10 goals shy of passing Peter Bondra (472) for first place on the Capitals franchise goals list and three assists shy of passing Michal Pivonka (418) for first on the Capitals franchise assist list.
– Nicklas Backstrom has tallied 18 assists in his last 21 games (1/16-3/1: 5g, 18a). Backstrom sits three assists shy of passing Alex Ovechkin (416) for second place on the Capitals franchise assists list
– Karl Alzner has earned an assist in four of his last six games (2/19-3/1: 4a). Alzner’s assist marked his 18th point of the season, tying his career high.
– Marcus Johansson scored his career-high 15th goal of the season, passing his previous career high set in 2011-12.
– Washington improved to 13-0-0 this season when Brooks Orpik earns an assist.
– Eric Fehr has tallied a point in four of his last five games (2/21-3/1: 1g, 3a).
– John Carlson has tallied six points in his last seven games (2/17-3/1: 3g, 3a).
– Troy Brouwer has earned three points in his last three games (2/25-3/1: 1g, 2a).
– Defenseman Tim Gleason made his Capitals debut, registering three hits in 18:34 of ice time.
Team Notes
– The Capitals have earned a point in 15 of their last 18 home games (12/11-3/1: 13-3-2). Washington has outscored opponents 53-33 during the last 18 home games and is 16 for 60 (26.7%) on the power play and 51 for 59 (86.4%) on the penalty kill.
– Washington improved to 29-1-4 this season when scoring first, 20-1-2 when leading after the first period and 27-1-3 when leading after the second period.
– Tonight’s attendance was 18,506, the Capitals’ 252nd consecutive sellout at Verizon Center.
Postgame Quotes
Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz on forward Alex Ovechkin’s first shift and goaltender Braden Holtby’s first period…
“That is the difference maker. That is the guy [Alex Ovechkin] that gets us off to our start. Ovi got us off to a great first shift and scores. I thought our first period that the [Toronto Maple] Leafs had some really good looks. [Braden] Holtby was really good for us. I thought he was the difference maker and we got better as the game went on.”
Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz on defensemen Tim Gleason and Mike Green’s play…
“I thought [Tim] Gleason came in there and did a really good job and made a huge block and put himself at risk early. You talk about making an impact for your teammates and he is in. I thought as the game went on, he had a really good stick and he killed a couple plays early in the neutral zone. He just made good reads and that is what the veteran guy does. He reads the play and shortens up the gap. His instincts are pretty good, where as a younger guy is not sure and would have backed off. He fit in quite nicely, and you saw that Mike [Green] had lots of juice going up and down the ice. I think that is a comfort level that Greenie has with our group.”
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on his fast goal and the good start for the Capitals…
“I think it was a good response by us to have a good start right away. We scored a goal, and it kind of takes the pressure off. We played a desperate team and they gave us a hard time out there. Holts [Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby] played well, PK [penalty kill] did a good job, especially in the third when we multi PKs [penalty kills].”
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on the play of Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby…
“He’s been outstanding all year for us. When we need a save, he makes a save. Of course, the D [defense] gives him a little bit of space to see the puck. But again, the effort out there, we knew this was going to be a hard game for us, and an important game for us. It’s big points”
Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson on breaking the losing streak…
“No one wants three losses in a row, and it’s a good feeling to get the team effort and for Holts [Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby] to get the shutout to get us right back into it. It’s a good feeling.”
Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson on the make-up of the team with new acquisitions…
“I think we’ve got everything we need in here. Tim [Gleason] played a great game tonight. He was solid all night long, not many mistakes. Just played strong and physical and then simple. That’s what we need. We’ve got a good feeling in here, and when we play like we did tonight, I think we are pretty hard to beat.”
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Peter Horachek on the difficulty of scoring goals on the road…
“We were in the game until [the Capitals] got the second goal. Mentally tough, you’ve got to be mentally tough in these situations. We’re playing a good team, and they’ve obviously got star players that are dangerous.”
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Peter Horachek on the Leafs scoring chances…
“They’re getting chances, they’re not going in. They’ve got to bear down and get the chances. They’ve got to finish their chances. They’ve got to be more willing to get on the inside. More willing to get in front of the net, stay there, and get second opportunities. It’s not a secret that when you’re trying to score goals you’ve got to get on the inside.”
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer on the Leafs performance so far in 2015…
“I’m always just focused on the next game and that’s the case here. Focusing on [moving] forward, but obviously that’s disappointing. We’ve got to find ways to win. I thought tonight we were good, just a couple tough bounces against and a couple unlucky ones for us. It’s just tough. I thought we played another good road game.”
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer on the play of the team surrounding the trade deadline…
“We’re trying to take things in a new direction, I think. You don’t know what’s going to happen, so there’s a little bit of uncertainty, but I think we’ve handled it well. We come to work every day. Obviously it’s at the back of your mind, but it’s at the back of everybody’s mind. I mean, you look at these guys across the way [Capitals] – they got two new players in the last couple days, so it really doesn’t matter what position you’re in, changes can be made to the roster. You just have to handle it in the right way and focus on the right things.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul on the recent play of the team…
“I think we added a little more structure to our game, but we’re just not converting on chances and our power plays kind of disappeared on us. All those things kind of coupled together, and then you take some bodies out of the lineup and don’t fill those spots, it makes it tougher.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul on the impending trade deadline…
“I’ve said it time and time again to some of the guys when I left for the Christmas break, I was really positive and thought it was going to be a really great season for us. Obviously, we had some injuries, things went the other way and we just couldn’t stop it. Now we’re in a spot that I never would have imagined. Like you said, it’s not something you prepare for. It’s just really disappointing…We’re not in the playoff race and that’s what you play for. There’s always some uncertainty come trade deadline, whether you’re a bottom team or a top team there’s going to be some bodies moving in and moving out, but the disappointing fact is that we put ourselves in a situation where everyone’s available.”