WASHINGTON (AP) — Logan Thompson earned his second shutout of the season, Jakob Chykrun scored twice and the Washington Capitals bounced back from a pair of ugly losses with a 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
The Capitals lost to Winnipeg and Minnesota with a score of 10-1, but in the first period Alexey Protas and Chikhrun scored against Toronto. Thompson led the way first, making 22 saves for his eighth career shutout.
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Chykrun made it 3-0 with his 14th goal of the season in the third period, tying him with Alex Ovechkin for second on the team behind Tom Wilson's 17th. Chikrun nearly completed his hat trick when he hit the post with about 3.5 minutes to play.
John Carlson also scored in the final period.
Sonny Milano hit the post in the first period for Washington and Protas opened the scoring with his 11th goal of the season. Justin Sourdif did a lot to earn an assist on the play: he controlled the puck in front, then beat goalie Dennis Hildeby's stick to put it ahead when Protas took a shot.
Chikrun scored while Hildeby was out of position when the puck bounced toward him off the edge of the backboard.
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Chikrun scored his second goal a few seconds later after a minor gaffe by the Capitals defenseman. He passed the puck to the right spot, apparently thinking a teammate would be there, but the only person nearby was the referee.
After the puck left the zone, three Toronto players went off the bench and Chikrun was able to return with the puck and beat Hildeby from the left circle.
Next
Maple Leafs: At Nashville on Saturday night.
Capitals: Host Detroit on Saturday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
