The Washington Capitals’ stout defense, backed by Logan Thompson in goal, led the way to a 4-1 victory over the rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. The win put the team back in first place in the league again.
Jakob Chychrun got the first goal for the Caps. He was alone at the left point when the puck caromed off the boards and right to him, then fired a one-time shot that deflected off a stick and past Penguin goalie Joel Blomqvist. It was Chychrun’s 13th goal of the season, putting him third for all defenseman in the league.
A boom and a bounce for Chych's 13th of the season pic.twitter.com/U0SslyHz9f
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2025
In the second period, Aliaksei Protas doubled the lead when he found space alone in front following a great forecheck by Connor McMichael and Pierre-Luc Dubois. The goal marked Protas’ 19th of the season. Protas also registered an assist on the Chychrun Goa, giving him his 12th multipoint game of the season.
When you factor in the sweaters, this may be the most aesthetically pleasing goal of the year so far pic.twitter.com/jBa8Xl3bU7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2025
The Penguins cut the deficit to one late in the third period when Bryan Rust snuck a shot past Thompson on a two-on-one. It ended Thompson’s shutout streak at 198:22, the third longest in franchise history. Thompson entered the game with back-to-back shutouts and a streak that extended to the second period of the January 11 game against Nashville.
“I don’t play for that,” Thompson said. “My goal at the end of the day is to help this team get two points. I thought I did my job tonight.”
Over his last four starts, Thompson has stopped 93 of 95 shots. The win gave him his 21st of the season, tying him for third in the NHL.
“He’s just been tremendous,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said. “[He had] some good saves tonight.” Carbery added that Thompson has been stepping up all season when the team needed him.
Dubois scored with just over two minutes left on the power play to restore the two goal lead. Brandon Duhaime scored an empty net goal to seal the win.
With the win, and a loss by the Winnipeg Jets, the Caps stand alone atop the NHL standings after 46 games.
“There’s a lot of hockey left. It’s cliche but it’s true,” Tom Wilson, who played in his 800th career game said. “We’ve been around. This group has been around. There’s a lot of hockey left. We want to be confident, playing well going into the important time of the year.”
