The Washington Capitals entered tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks in search of anything positive after six consecutive losses. Through one period, they have reason to feel good about themselves.
Brooks Laich ended the Capitals' scoreless drought at 14:22 of the first period on a backhand shot from the slot on a rebound from John Carlson. Carlson came sliding down the wing and fired after receiving Nicklas Backstrom's pass from down low.
Carlson's shot was stopped, but the rebound went straight to Laich, who was below the circles and backhanded it passed the Ducks' Jonas Hiller.
Moments later, Laich had another golden opportunity, but this time luck was not on his side. After a Ducks turnover, Laich was wide open in the mid-slot and fired a shot at Hiller. The puck managed to slip through Hiller's legs, but Ryan Getzlaf cleared the loose puck out of the crease before it could slide past the goalline.
The Capitals fired 17 shots on Hiller and generated nine scoring chances, but only a couple shots came from below the circles or in the slot area.
Washington did hold the Ducks to seven shots on goal and allowed just two scoring chances.