Alex Ovechkin and Matt Hendricks scored third period goals as the Washington Capitals fought back to snatch a 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, extending their winning streak to seven games.
With the win, the surging Capitals closed to within two points of the Eastern Conference--leading Philadelphia Flyers, while the ninth-placed Hurricanes push for a playoff spot stalled with a third straight loss.
Capitals rookie goaltender Braden Holtby was sensational as the Hurricanes outshot Washington 41-26.
“I didn’t think we were very sharp,” Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. “They had 40 shots on goal. I think they were carrying the play and they were beating us to the puck. We made the plays in the third period that we needed to win and that was it.”
After a scoreless opening period, Tuomo Ruutu tallied late in the second to give Carolina a 1-0 lead going into the intermission.
However, the Capitals roared out after the break, Ovechkin scoring his 28th of the season just 47 seconds into the period, while running his point scoring streak to seven games.
The Russian sniper has been in strong form of late, scoring seven goals with 10 assists during the last 12 games.
Hendricks then notched the winner 7 minutes, 24 second into the final period when he jumped on a rebound in front of the Carolina net and pounded the puck past netminder Cam Ward.
“If there was going to be a rebound, I wanted to be the one to get it,” Hendricks said. “I just wanted to try to get it over his pad.”
“Looking back over the past few years, in Washington there hasn’t been a whole lot of adversity and guys are really coming out and playing and fighting to the end, pulling out those one-goal games,” he said. “It’s a lot like playoff hockey right now.”
STARS 4, WILD 0
In Dallas, defenseman Trevor Daley ignited a three-goal flurry during a 1 minute, 31 second span in the second period that propelled Dallas to a big win over Minnesota.
Kari Lehtonen made 14 saves for his 15th career shutout, while Tom Wandell and Mike Ribeiro added second-period goals for the Stars, 6-0-2 in their past eight games.
Jamie Benn scored a goal in his sixth consecutive game to help Dallas move to fourth in the Western Conference playoff race with 82 points.
The Wild, 0-10-4 in their past 14 road games against the Stars, were shut out for the second consecutive night.
ISLANDERS 4, BRUINS 2
In Uniondale, New York, Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner and Jack Hillen scored in a six minute span in the second and third periods to help New York overcome Boston.
P.A. Parenteau added an empty-net goal, while Al Montoya made 26 saves for New York.
Nathan Horton and Zdeno Chara scored for the Bruins. Chara, booed every time he touched the puck, was playing his second game since his check on Max Pacioretty that sent the Montreal left wing to the hospital with a severe concussion and a fractured vertebra.
In Friday’s other action, it was:
‧ Kings 4, Blue Jackets 2
‧ Senators 2, Lightning 1
‧ Red Wings 2, Oilers 1, OT
‧ Ducks 6, Avalanche 2
‧ Devils 3, Thrashers 2, OT
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