A Quotable Green Nets Goal in Caps' 3-1 Win
Friday's highlights belonged to the Caps' defense. In a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, Washington's defensemen were responsible for the majority of goals scored, while Semyon Varlamov again turned in a strong performance between the pipes. Despite the Wild having the best penalty kill percentage on the road in the NHL, the Caps' first goal of the game came from Mike Green on a power play in the second period.
It was the third goal of the season for Green, who had double the goals at this point a year ago.
"It seems like I don't have a lot of room out there this year -- maybe because of last year," said Green about his power play chances. "It seems like I have a guy standing in front of me. But that's good, because then the other guys are scoring and that leaves somebody else open."
Green also had the best quote of the night when a reporter asked about the Caps' matchup tonight against New Jersey, who are only two points behind the conference-leading Capitals.
"It's always boring playing [New Jersey], because they sit back and they wait for you to make mistakes," Green said.
The two other Capitals goals came from Brian Pothier and Brooks Laich in the third. Varlamov stopped 29 of 30 shots on goal, though the one he let slip by came just after the Caps returned to full strength off a penalty for too many men on the ice.
"Guys are blocking shots, doing the simple things, and playing like a team," Green said.
The biggest downside for the Caps, who are still without Alex Ovechkin, was an injury to Mike Knuble late in the first period. A team spokesman said afterward that Knuble suffered a broken finger that requires surgery and estimated he would be out 3 to 4 weeks.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau wouldn't commit as to whether Knuble's injury means Ovechkin will return earlier than the much-rumored date of Tuesday against the New York Rangers.