Capitals outlast Ducks in potential Stanley Cup Final matchup
The Washington Capitals needed a shootout to get by the Anaheim Ducks in a sneak peek of what could be this season's Stanley Cup Final on Monday.
Nicklas Backstrom had the shootout winner, while Braden Holtby turned away two of three shooters as the Capitals extinguished the Ducks 11-game win streak, winning 2-1.
The @AnaheimDucks extended their point streak to 14 games (12-0-2), two shy of the longest such run in club history set in 2006-07 (12-0-4)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 8, 2016
John Gibson was nearly perfect turning away 31 of 32 shots in a losing effort. The loss snapped his four-game win-streak.
Meanwhile in the Capitals' crease, Holtby collected win No. 41 on the season, matching a franchise record shared with Olaf Kolzig who did so during the 1999-00 season.
.@kbieksa3: "It was a good game. We played against the best team in the East and played well. Sometimes, you need to tip your cap."
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 8, 2016
The teams will face off one more time in each's regular-season finale, where further playoff speculation is sure to escalate.