Backstrom, Caps jump on Miller, win 5-2

The Washington Capitals faced the best goalie in hockey tonight.  Last time they face Ryan Miller, they got shut out 3-0.

Tonight was a bit different.  This time, the Caps solved Ryan Miller.

Nicklas Backstrom scored twice to lead the Capitals offensive.  The Caps also got back on track on the power play, scoring twice in the third period on the power play, less than two minutes apart.

It did not take Backstrom long, he tallied his first goal at the 1:18 mark to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.  The goal came with Backstrom right in front of Miller.  Mike Green put the Caps up 2-0 near he 7 minute mark.  It was Green’s 7th goal of the season.  Caps out shot Buffalo 15-4 in the first period.

Paul Gaustad pulled the Sabres to within 1 early in the second period. Caps struck back 6 minutes later on a rebound off of Miller and a put in by Brendan Morrison.  It was Morrison’s 10th goal of the season and gave the Caps a 3-1 lead.  Tim Connolly pulled the Sabres to within 1 two minutes later and the second period ended with a 3-2 Caps lead in a super active second period in which the Sabres put 20 shots on goal against Michal Neuvirth, who drew his second consecutive start.

Third period was all Caps.  Nicklas Backstrom struck first at the 10:55 mark on the Caps two man advantage to give the Caps breathing room and a 4-2 lead.  It was Backstrom’s 14th goal of the year and his 4th multi-goal game of the season.  On the same power play, Alex Ovechkin netted his 24th goal of the year and jumped ahead of Patrick Marluea of San Jose for second overall in goals scored, 1 behind the Rangers’ Marian Gaborik.

Read it all at

http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/12/23/backstrom-caps-jump-on-miller-win-5-2.html