Photo: John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 4-1 on Saturday at Capital One Arena. The win improved the Capitals’ record to 30-23-9 and 69 points on the season. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 29 saves in the victory.
The Lineup
Alex Ovechkin — Hendrix Lapierre — Aliaskei Protas
Sonny Milano — Dylan Strome — Ivan Miroshnichenko
Max Pacioretty — Connor McMichael — Tom Wilson
Beck Malenstyn — Michael Sgarbossa — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Trevor van Riemsdyk — John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin — Nick Jensen
Alexander Alexeyev — Ethan Bear
Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Injuries: Defenseman Martin Fehervary (lower body), right-wing T.J. Oshie (upper body), and centers Nic Dowd (upper body) and Nicklas Backstrom (hip)
First Period
Lapierre (7) would give the Capitals a 1-0 lead at the 7:01 mark on a deflected goal. Carlson (32) and Protas (22) assisted.
Make that FIVE GOALS in six games for Hendrix pic.twitter.com/jOui4LcKIV
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2024
With a backhanded shot, Sgarbossa (3) made it 2-0 in favor of Washington at the 8:45 mark. van Riemsdyk (10) and Carlson (33) had the assists.
Sweet work from Sugah in tight pic.twitter.com/cNBT0MSfEq
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2024
Wilson (15) would give the Capitals a very nice 3-0 lead on a power play at the 13:36 mark. The assists went to Strome (29) and Ovechkin (30).
Two straight games with a goal for Willy pic.twitter.com/0wOWnZZopx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2024
Quick Stats
SOG: 12-12
Face-Off Win %: 57% (Capitals), 42% (Blackhawks)
Hits: 10-7 Blackhawks
Second Period
Milano (10) would give the Capitals a late 4-0 lead off of an assist from Protas (23).
FIVE STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A GOAL!!!!
Sonman is hotter than surface of the sun pic.twitter.com/9sdiIG2jgE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2024
Quick Stats
Total SOG: 20-20
Face-Off Win %: 51% (Blackhawks), 48% (Capitals)
Total Hits: 23-11 Blackhawks
Third Period
The Blackhawks would get on the board midway through the frame with a goal from center Tyler Johnson to make it a 4-1 game, spoiling Lindgren’s bid for back-to-back shutouts.
Tyler lights the lamp 🚨 pic.twitter.com/2NHg8bOb1F
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 10, 2024
Quick Stats
Total SOG: 30-26 Blackhawks
Face-Off Win %: 56% (Blackhawks), 44% (Capitals)
Total Hits: 25-17 Blackhawks
Notes Through the Game
- Lapierre has scored five goals in his last six games.
- Sgarbossa has registered five points (3g, 2a) in 15 games with the Capitals this season.
- Carlson has now registered six multi-assist games in 2023-24.
- van Riemsdyk, who appeared in 158 games with Chicago from 2014-17, is now two assists shy of 100 career assists.
- Wilson registered his fifth power-play goal of the season, which ties his single-season career high (2019-20: 5 PPG).
- Strome extended his point streak to four games (1g-7a–8p).
- Strome, who recorded 154 points (60g, 94a) in 225 games with Chicago from 2018-22, has tallied 17 assists in his last 15 games.
- With an assist on the Capitals’ third goal, Ovechkin (840g-693a–1,533p in 1,406 GP) has tied Mark Recchi (577g-956a–1,533p in 1,652 GP) for 14th place on the NHL’s all-time points list.
- Milano has scored in five straight games dating back to February 24th.
- Protas recorded his sixth multi-assist game of the season.
- Over his last two starts, Lindgren has stopped 70 of 71 shots faced (.986 save percentage).
The Capitals start a five-game Western road trip, clashing first with the Winnipeg Jets on Monday at Canada Life Centre. Monumental Sports Network will have the coverage beginning at 7:30 PM ET.
By Della Young