The Capitals finished a season-opening run of seven games in 13 days with a 4-3-0 record, in which they played two back-to-backs sets, played the defending Stanley Cup champions twice and had five games against teams that made the playoffs last season. Through their first seven games, the Capitals are 3-1-0 against Metropolitan Division opponents and 3-1-0 at home. Washington continues its five-game homestand on Saturday against division rival New Jersey at 1 p.m.
The Capitals snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-4 win over Montreal on Wednesday. Four of Washington’s five goals came from players in their first season with the team. Alex Tuch scored twice and added an assist in Wednesday’s 5-4 win over Montreal, while Jordan Kyrou (1g, 1a) notched his first multi-point game as a Capital. Ivan Miroshnichenko netted his first goal of the season in the first period and Justin Holl scored his second goal in as many games to give Washington a third-period lead. Washington’s five new additions (Tuch, Kyrou, Holl, Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais) have combined for 17 points (12g, 5a), with Tuch (5g-1a–6p), Kyrou (2g-2a–4p) and Jenner (3g-1–4p) each having four or more.
UPCOMING PLAYER MILESTONES
Alex Ovechkin – 3 assists shy of passing Nicklas Backstrom (762) for the most assists in franchise history; 10 goals shy of passing Wayne Gretzky (1,016) for the most combined goals (regular season + playoffs) in NHL history
Charlie Lindgren – 1 game shy of passing Pat Riggin (143) for the sixth-most games played in franchise history; 1 shutout shy of passing Al Jensen (8) for the fifth-most shutouts in franchise history
Justin Holl – 1 point shy of 100 career points
