National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Washington 3, Chicago 2
When: 8:30 PM ET, Friday, November 7, 2014
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Referees: Frederic L'Ecuyer, Tim Peel
Linesmen: Andy McElman, Scott Driscoll
Attendance: 21892

Capitals 3, Blackhawks 2: Joel Ward's goal in the waning moments of the second period stood as the winner as visiting Washington halted a five-game losing streak (0-4-1).

Andre Burakovsky, Marcus Johansson and Ward scored in a 4:52 span of the middle frame to pace the Capitals, who found their defensive stride after surrendering 22 goals during their slide. Braden Holtby was sensational in the victory, turning aside 38 shots for his first victory since Oct. 25.

Brandon Saad and defenseman Duncan Keith countered for the Blackhawks, who have dropped six of nine. Corey Crawford made 21 saves in defeat.

Saad kicked off the scoring with 2:48 remaining in the first period, one-timing Marian Hossa's pass from the left circle past Holtby. Keith extended the lead in the opening minute of the second, blasting a shot from just above the right circle that eluded Holtby on the short side.

Washington stormed back to take the lead in a frenetic end to the second period. Burakovsky's well-placed wrist shot put the Capitals on the board at 15:03, Johansson evened things at 19:13 on a low spinning shot that Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook redirected into his own net and Ward put the Capitals ahead at 19:55 with a redirection of blue-liner Matt Niskanen's shot that beat Crawford over his left shoulder.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who saw his three-game point streak end, has scored just once in his last eight contests. ... Washington finished with 18 blocked shots while Chicago registered just four. ... Niskanen set up a pair of goals for the Capitals after coming into the game with just three assists in his first 12 contests.
Top Game Performances
 
Washington   Chicago
Andre Burakovsky 2 Points Duncan Keith 1
Andre Burakovsky 1 Goals Duncan Keith 1
Matt Niskanen 2 Assists Marian Hossa 1
N/A Power Play Goals Duncan Keith 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Braden Holtby .950 Save Percentage Corey Crawford .875
Braden Holtby 38 Saves Corey Crawford 21
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Washington 24 3 0-1 2-3 6 25
Chicago 40 2 1-3 1-1 2 35
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against San Jose. The Blackhawks have a W/L % of .286 after a win and .714 after a loss.
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Carolina. The Capitals have a W/L % of .200 after a win and .500 after a loss.