Capitals Win 3-2 in Anaheim

The gloves are on. These Capitals are aware of their current position in the standings, where they are currently tied for eighth with Columbus, and it was on display last night when they picked up a big win on the road against the second best team in a much stronger Western Conference.

The Ducks have dropped four straight at home, and seceded their grip on the Western Conference to the St. Louis Blues.

Jaroslav Halak has been on a tear, making 43 saves in his sixth consecutive start since the Capitals picked up the veteran net minder at the deadline. This was the Caps fourth win in a row in Anaheim, winning big against former coach Bruce Boudreau, who is now in his third season in Anaheim.

Joel Ward and Troy Brouwer got on the board for the Caps off a backhanded rebound and a power play goal, respectively. Brouwer’s goal showed once more how dangerous the Capitals are when a man ahead, sustaining the team’s title as the most efficient power play team in the league where the team scores on 24.2 percent of opportunities.

Ben Lovejoy and former Capital Matthieu Perreault got on the board for the Ducks, but the Caps special team prowess pushed them over the edge once more in a tied game when Alex Ovechkin scored his 46th goal of the season, a league-leading total. The goal came on a power play where Ovechkin sent a vicious one-timer past Jonas Hiller, who had 27 saves of his own in the loss.

The Captials road trip in California continues tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings, as the boys in red look to pick up ground on the Blue Jackets and Rangers.