Predators snap Capitals’ 9-game point streak originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
WASHINGTON — The Capitals saw their nine-game point streak come to an end Friday at the hands of the Nashville Predators, who won 3-2 on a goal by defenseman Ryan McDonagh with 3:16 to play in regulation.
Both teams started their backup goaltenders Friday in what was the second leg of a back-to-back for each side. Kevin Lankinen got the nod for Nashville after Juuse Saros stopped a franchise-record 64 saves in a win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals turned to the steady Charlie Lindgren with Darcy Kuemper coming off a victory in Columbus.
Lindgren, making his first start in six days, fell victim to two first-period Predators goals by fourth-line forwards Thomas Novak and Yakov Trenin. However, he also killed two penalties in the frame and carried that momentum forward the rest of the game, racking up several highlight-reel saves to keep the Capitals within striking distance.
Washington’s offense generated plenty of chances in the first period and turned one of them into a goal just as a power play expired. Dmitry Orlov fired a shot from the point that Conor Sheary deflected off Lankinen’s pad before Sonny Milano slammed it home.
With star forwards Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom nearing their returns for the Capitals, several players are fighting to make their cases to stick on the roster. Aliaksei Protas had appeared in every game this season prior to Friday, when the waiver-exempt 22-year-old was listed as a healthy scratch.
That allowed Nicolas Aube-Kubel to get his second consecutive start in just his 14th game for the Capitals since being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs in early November. He got off to a rough start picking up a pair of penalties in the first but rebounded by scoring his second goal in as many games with an impressive deke in the slot.
The score remained tied late into the third period as Lindgren continued to make marvelous stops. Washington had its chances on the other end, but it couldn’t capitalize as the two sides went scoreless for over 25 minutes of play before McDonagh’s game-winner.
With the loss, the Capitals fell to 22-14-6 to remain at 50 points toward the Metropolitan Division standings. They’ll take the day off Saturday before hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday with an early puck drop of 5 p.m. ET.
