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EspañolCaufield scores 2 in the first period as the Canadiens beat the Capitals 6-2
MONTREAL (AP) — Cole Caufield scored two first-period goals to help propel the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday night.
Mike Matheson and Kirby Dach scored goals in the second period for Montreal, which has recorded at least a point in seven consecutive games (5-0-2).
Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans added empty-net goals in the third and Suzuki had two assists. Jakub Dobes made 27 saves as he improved his record to 9-0-2 over his last 11 games.
Caufield now has a team-high 35 goals this season. It took all of 30 seconds for the Canadiens to find the back of the net, marking the fastest game-opening goal scored by Montreal this season. Jakob Chychrun’s point shot was blocked by Caufield, resulting in a breakaway for the forward. His snap shot beat Charlie Lindgren to the glove side.
Alex Ovechkin scored twice for the Capitals, who had their three-game win streak snapped. The Capitals captain has scored 44 goals and recorded 76 points in just 63 career matchups against the Canadiens.
Lindgren stopped 19 shots in his first start since Jan. 29.
Washington failed to capitalize four power-play opportunities.
The Bell Centre remains a tough stop for visiting teams as Montreal improved to 10-3-1 in its last 14 home games.
Up next
Capitals: Host the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday night.
Canadiens: Visit the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Capitals almost have Cole Hutson — they just have to cut ties with this veteran first
Capitals almost have Cole Hutson — they just have to cut ties with this veteran first originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Capitals are getting close to a very exciting move.
Cole Hutson is likely to join the Caps very soon.
Hutson, the immensely talented defenseman at Boston University, just needs the collegiate season to end to come to the NHL.
Since BU doesn't seem likely to make the postseason, that ending should come sooner rather than later.
The Capitals will need to clear a roster spot for Hutson, though, and the easiest way to do that might be before the March 6 NHL trade deadline.
MORE: Red Wings trade offer for Tyler Myers has been revealed
NHL insider Frank Seravalli suggests that Trevor van Riemsdyk is the guy to go.
The veteran defenseman is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, so he'd be a logical player for Washington to trade, even if it's for a relatively minimal return.
The reality here is that the trade return really also involves the fact that Hutson gets to play in the NHL now.
The Capitals have played van Riemsdyk about 15-and-a-half minutes per game this season, and he hasn't been in uniform for every game.
He's 34 years old now, and he has just eight points in 47 games.
MORE: Sidney Crosby breaks silence on injury, Olympics and rest of Penguins' season
For a time, van Riemsdyk was quite reliable for Washington, and he's still just fine in that regard.
But with the chance to bring aboard Hutson coming soon, it might be time running out for van Riemsdyk with the Capitals.
More NHL news:
- Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs now forced to face tough reality
- A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
- Zach Werenski made 'the play before The Play'
- It'll be complicated to trade for Steven Stamkos
- Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
- Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future
Crocodiles spotted in Newcastle creek
Reptile experts are searching for several juvenile freshwater crocodiles that have been spotted in a New South Wales creek.
High school girls basketball: Tabiona knocks off defending champion Rich to claim 1A state title
After reaching the 1A championship game in each of the last four years, Tabiona finally ended its season with a state championship Saturday, the program’s first since 2007.
Joy Gines led the Tigers with 13 points, which included knocking down 8 of 9 free throw attempts. Isabella Gines added 11 points and Maecie Hagman finished with eight points and 11 rebounds as the Tigers defeated Rich 45-41.
“The girls were very resilient tonight even though we got down a couple different times,” Tabiona coach Jake Fabriozio said. “I told the girls to not give up and that the ball was going to bounce our way eventually.”
Gines was terrific at the free-throw line but hit just 2 of 6 shots from the field. That said, her only 3-point make of the night was a huge one, coming with 64 seconds remaining as the Tigers took a 43-40 lead.
All season long the push has been to produce a season to remember, and Gines said those sentiments echoed strongly when the team spent some time Saturday morning in its home gym.
“This feels great,” Gines said. “We were in the gym today and I saw all of those second place trophies and I knew I didn’t want to get second place again.”
For Hagman the win and the state championship was especially satisfying after she missed the state tournament last season while recovering from ACL surgery.
“I missed the second half of last season and it cut deep,” Hagman said. “I felt like I missed an emotional bond with my team, but I have that emotional connection back and this feels amazing.”
As expected, the game was tight throughout. Tabiona led 9-5 after the first period and took a 19-17 lead into the halftime break.
While Joy Gines was being blanketed by Rich’s Laci McKinnon, it was everyone else who stepped up for the Tigers.
Andree Fabrizio finished the game with nine points, and seven Tabiona players scored.
“Joy accepted her role and we knew they were going to put a lot of pressure on her,” coach Fabrizio said. “We had other girls step up and did some things and I think that took a lot of pressure off of everyone.”
As the third quarter wore on, the taller and more physical Rich started to take some control. Molly Weston’s 3-pointer tied the game at 23-23, and Madi White hit a late third quarter basket as the Rebels entered the final period with a 29-27 advantage.
Rich’s Paige Smith and Braylyn Pugmire then opened the final quarter with back-to-back baskets as the Rebels built a 33-27 lead.
After Tabiona’s Taliya Allred hit a free throw, the Rebels took their biggest lead of the game at 35-28 lead on a McKinnon layup, but like they did in Friday’s semifinal win over Wayne, the Tigers refused to stop battling.
Joy Gines eventually tied it at 40-40 with a driving layup, and moments later she knocked down a 23-foot 3-pointer that put Tabiona over the top.
“When it came to crunch time we knew we wanted Joy to have a good shot,” Fabrizio said.
McKinnon led Rich with 12 points and seven rebounds. Weston also scored 12 points on three 3-pointers, while Smith finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.