The Washington Capitals only have so much drama to offer with virtually everything clinched, yet they generated two legit stories in their 1-0 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils.
Most impressively, Braden Holtby earned his third shutout and 45th win of the 2015-16 season. With that, Holtby is really creeping on Martin Brodeur’s single-season record for goalie wins at 48.
The Capitals have nine games remaining this season, so there’s at least a possible best-of-both worlds scenario for Washington: he can chase the record and still maybe get a little breather toward the playoffs.
Via @EliasSports: @Holts170 (@washcaps) became the sixth goaltender in NHL history to record 45 wins in a season. pic.twitter.com/aO3RAFpsnW
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 26, 2016
The other cool story: in his first game back from that lingering lower-body injury, John Carlson scored the game’s only goal in overtime.
And he did so emphatically:
Other fun stuff
Actually, there are some “sub-stories” of note.
For one thing, Scott Wedgewood’s shutout streak ended, even if he continued what’s been a remarkable introduction to the NHL.
Scott Wedgewood’s 159:34 shutout streak is 2nd longest by a rookie goaltender in #NJDevils history (164:18, Martin Brodeur) via @EliasSports
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) March 26, 2016
Also, the Capitals have one another thing to shoot for, beyond Holtby’s possible record:
The @washcaps (53-15-5, 111 PTS) moved within one win of equaling their single-season franchise record, set in 2009-10 (54-15-13, 121 PTS).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 26, 2016
The Devils, meanwhile, saw their long odds at a playoff run get that much longer on Friday night.
Larsson: "We'll never give up in this room until it's officially over."
— Rich Chere (@Ledger_NJDevils) March 26, 2016