Kraken Shut Out 3-0 by Capitals as Ovechkin Moves Closer to Gretzky’s Record

MNST Sports

The Seattle Kraken were shut out 3-0 by the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, and Alex Ovechkin headlined the evening. The star forward of the Capitals scored an empty-net goal, which put him at 875 goals in his career, 20 from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894.

The goal by Ovechkin was scored in the final minutes of the game and sealed the sixth straight win for Washington. Aliaksei Protas and Ethen Frank previously gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead.

Charlie Lindgren made 22 saves for Washington to record his first shutout of the season. It was his first start since Jan. 10 and the Capitals' third shutout in five games - the first two coming via back-to-back blanks by Logan Thompson against Anaheim and Ottawa.

Joey Daccord made 30 saves in the Seattle goal. It was his fifth straight start and his 100th NHL game, but despite his work, the Kraken couldn't break through to Washington. This was the sixth time this season Seattle had been shut out.

The pivotal moment of the game came with 16 seconds remaining in the second period when Lindgren stoned Oliver Bjorkstrand on a breakaway. That save kept Seattle off the board and gave the Capitals momentum heading into the final frame of play.

That means that Washington keeps moving along on its strong run atop the NHL, and for Seattle, life without the significant offence in their lineup continues to make things very tough. The Kraken will try to rebound on Saturday against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins while the Capitals head to Vancouver for their next contest.