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Andre Burakovsky, Marcus Johansson and Ward scored in a 4:52
span of the middle frame to pace the Capitals, who found their
defensive stride after surrendering 22 goals during their slide.
Braden Holtby was sensational in the victory, turning aside 38
shots for his first victory since Oct. 25.
Brandon Saad and defenseman Duncan Keith countered for the
Blackhawks, who have dropped six of nine. Corey Crawford made 21
saves in defeat.
Saad kicked off the scoring with 2:48 remaining in the first
period, one-timing Marian Hossa's pass from the left circle past
Holtby. Keith extended the lead in the opening minute of the
second, blasting a shot from just above the right circle that
eluded Holtby on the short side.
Washington stormed back to take the lead in a frenetic end to
the second period. Burakovsky's well-placed wrist shot put the
Capitals on the board at 15:03, Johansson evened things at 19:13
on a low spinning shot that Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook
redirected into his own net and Ward put the Capitals ahead at
19:55 with a redirection of blue-liner Matt Niskanen's shot that
beat Crawford over his left shoulder.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who saw his
three-game point streak end, has scored just once in his last
eight contests. ... Washington finished with 18 blocked shots
while Chicago registered just four. ... Niskanen set up a pair
of goals for the Capitals after coming into the game with just
three assists in his first 12 contests.
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