Capitals rally for convincing win over Islanders
Martin Fehervary and Anthony Beauvillier scored 31 seconds apart in the second period, and rookie Clay Stevenson stopped 31 shots, as the Washington Capitals rallied for a 4-1 victory over the visiting New York Islanders on Monday night.
Nic Dowd recorded a goal with an assist and John Carlson added an empty-netter for the Capitals, who are in the mix for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and won three straight amid a 4-1-1 stretch.
Stevenson, meanwhile, was undeniably stout in his second consecutive start, the third of his career, as Washington continues to deal with injuries to regulars Logan Thompson and backup Charlie Lindgren.
Mathew Barzal scored for the Islanders, who have dropped two in a row following a three-game winning streak. David Rittich made 20 saves for New York, which lost three of the four meetings with Washington this season.
New York outshot the hosts 12-6 during the first 20 minutes and opened the scoring with 3:22 left in the first period. Off a careless pass by Washington star Tom Wilson in his own zone, an open Barzal collected the puck in the slot and beat Stevenson.
From there, the Washington defense and Stevenson, who was called up from Hershey of the AHL last week, managed to limit the Islanders' high-quality chances the rest of the night.
Wilson redeemed himself and helped the Capitals level the contest when he played give-and-go with Fehervary, whose shot was too quick for Rittich to handle at 5:29 into the second period. Less than one minute later, Washington went ahead for good via ex-Islander Beauvillier's brilliant wraparound that found an opening between Rittich and the post.
The Capitals added on at 8:46 into the third period, thanks to some good fortune. Dowd, who assisted on Fehervary's goal, sent the puck from the side toward the net, where it glanced off New York's Tony DeAngelo and past an unsuspecting Rittich for a 3-1 Washington advantage.
Coupled with Saturday's 4-3 overtime victory against Carolina, Washington has won two straight at home for the first time since Nov. 28 and Dec. 7.