Capitals Shutout Islanders Again
For the third straight game, the Washington Capitals faced off against the New York Islanders. As for those three games, the Capitals won them all. Coming into the three game stretch, the two were tied for first place. Now, the Capitals are five points ahead of them and one ahead of Pittsburgh who is in second.
For the second game in a row, the Capitals were without captain Alexander Ovechkin. Daniel Sprong has replaced him in those games and had two goals in the first game. Sprong came out hot again in this one and with the very first shot of the game, scored his third goal in two games. From that point on the Capitals dominated.
The Capitals outshot the Islanders 33-18, won more faceoffs and outhit them as well. Washington completely owned the Islanders in all aspects of the game. The 18 shots allowed by the Capitals was the fewest shots they have allowed all season.
The previous two games featured Ilya Samsonov in net for the Capitals, however tonight was Vitek Vanecek’s turn. Vanecek turned it up a notch as he recorded his second shutout of the year and the second of his young career. He is now 18-9-3 on the season and leads all rookie goaltenders in wins.
The six points they were able to capture in those three games against the Islanders were huge. They added a little breathing room for the Capitals who now have to worry about the Penguins. Washington’s next three games will be against Pittsburgh who are one point behind them in the standings.
The Washington Capitals will be back in action again on Thursday (4/29) in DC against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
