Capitals Report Card: Caps Shut Out Leafs to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images The Washington Capitals (40-30-9) bounced back after an abysmal performance on Sunday. This time, they shut out the Toronto Maple Leafs (32-32-14) 4-0 in their home arena on Wednesday. The Capitals managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with the victory.
Though they still need tons of help to actually get in. The biggest story was Ilya Protas making his NHL debut, skating alongside his brother Aliaksei. The 19-year-old recorded his first NHL point in the game.
Dylan Strome got things going with the first goal in the opening period. Then, Ryan Leonard and Martin Fehervary added two more in the middle frame. Finally, Cole Hutson sealed it with an empty-netter in the third.
Logan Thompson also stepped up in net and stopped all 21 shots for his third shutout this season. With three games left, the Capitals next have a home-and-home series with the Penguins. The first game will be in Pittsburgh on Saturday, then D.
C. on Sunday. Capitals Analysis Strome opened the scoring for the Capitals as he recorded a goal at Scotiabank Arena for the first time.