Washington Capitals End Anaheim’s Winning Streak

The best team in the East met the hottest team in the west in NHL action on March 7th with the Washington Capitals at the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim had taken over the lead in the Pacific Division on the strength of a franchise record 11 game winning streak, while Washington has a 20 point lead over the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning in the race for the number one seed in the East.

A game featuring two of the best defenses in the NHL figures to be low scoring, and such was the case here. The score was tied 1-1 after regulation and overtime, with the Capitals finally prevailing in the shootout to win 2-1.

While the Ducks have the leagues’ stingiest defense (allowing just 2.3 goals per game; goalie John Gibson is allowing just 2.04 goals per game, tops of all goalies), they are in the bottom third of the league in scoring, averaging just 2.49 goals per game. They are very efficient on power plays, converting 23.4 % of the time, second best in the league. Whether or not the Ducks can go deep into the playoffs without picking up the scoring pace remains to be seen.

Washington is playing the best hockey overall in the league, 17 points better than the Chicago Blackhawks, the team with the best record in the West. The Capitals are playing excellent defense and have outscored their opponents by 63 goals total, the leading goal differential in the league by a wide margin (Chicago is next with plus 31).

The Ducks will get another shot at the Capitals in Washington in the regular season finale on April 10th.