Caps Bounce Back, Shutout Pens

The Caps were looking to bounce back following a loss to the Rangers on Tuesday night and they did so in a big way, shutting out their biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins on their home ice.  This was a big win for Washington considering the Penguins currently lead the Metropolitan Division.

The Capitals got on the board late in the first period, with a rebound goal by Eric Fehr.  In the third period, the Caps went up 2-0 with a goal by Marcus Johansson with 14:23 remaining.  It was Johansson's 10th goal of the season, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Brooks Orpik picked up the assist.  With 9:44 left in the game, Eric Fehr picked up his second goal of the game to put the Caps up 3-0.  For Fehr it was his 9th of the season and assisted by Joel Ward and John Carlson.  This wasn't the first time Fehr picked up two goals against the Pens.  In the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field, Eric Fehr stole the show by scoring two goals to give the Caps a 3-1 win.  Tonight, the Caps would hang on for a 3-0 victory as Braden Holtby got the shutout.  Holtby stopped 31 shots on the night.

For the Capitals, this snapped an eight game losing streak against the Penguins.  The last time they beat Pittsburgh was back in January 2012.  The month of December has been a test for the Caps with only four home games and nine road games.  The Caps improve their record to 18-11-6 with 42 points.  Monday night in New York against the Islanders is the last road game before returning home for the Winter Classic on New Years Day.