Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Passing Dryden: Vokoun steals spotlight on Ovechkin’s return with shutout

Tomas Vokoun Karl Alzner Dennis Wideman

Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokou, center, is congratulated by teammates Karl Alzner, left, and Dennis Wideman after shutting out the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 in an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

AP

It was Alex Ovechkin’s first game back after his three-game suspension, but it turned into the Tomas Vokoun show instead.

Vokoun had 30 saves in earning his third shutout of the season and 47th in his career while Alex Semin had a penalty shot goal and an assist to lead the way to a sleepy 3-0 win over a spiraling downward Montreal team. The shutout pushes Vokoun past Ken Dryden for 26th on the all-time shutout list.

Vokoun headed into this weekend’s action wondering when exactly he’d be playing even though he was open to playing more. Coach Dale Hunter has been working both Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth in and out of goal lately. After seeing Vokoun turn aside all Canadiens shots today, however, Hunter will have a curious decision on who to start tomorrow afternoon against Boston.

It would normally take a solid performance by a goalie to outshine Alex Ovechkin in a game, but Ovechkin’s lackluster return to action today left the door open to get the spotlight stolen easily. Earning a shutout that helps him pass a Canadiens legend in Dryden helps pour a bit more salt in the wounds for Habs fans dealing with a miserable season.