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Sports

Ovechkin, Holtby spur Caps over road-weary Leafs

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Braden Holtby's career-best seventh shutout of the season came thanks to a 32-save effort, as Washington prolonged Toronto's road woes with a 4-0 decision on Sunday night at Verizon Center.

Alex Ovechkin paced his club with two goals and one assist for the Capitals, who put an end to a three-game losing streak. Marcus Johansson and Joel Ward added markers in the third period.

James Reimer allowed three goals on 31 shots for the Maple Leafs, who failed to pick up a win away from home for the 16th straight time. Toronto heads to Florida and Tampa Bay on Tuesday and Thursday before a three-game home stand.

"We're focusing on moving forward, but obviously that's disappointing. We've got to find ways to win. I thought tonight we were good, just a couple tough bounces against and a couple unlucky ones for us. I thought we played another good road game," Reimer offered.

Ovechkin slipped a shot between Reimer's pads just 33 seconds into the contest for his 40th of the season. The strike marked the earliest opening score for the Caps this season.

"That is the difference maker. That is the guy who gets us off to our start. Ovi got us off to a great first shift and scores," said Capitals head coach Barry Trotz.

Ovechkin made it 2-0 with 5 1/2 minutes gone in the second period by cleaning up a Brooks Orpik rebound with a backhander in close.

Johansson pushed the hosts' advantage to three on his marker with 9:14 gone in the third and Leafs forward David Booth off for hooking.

In a desperate gamble, Reimer was pulled for an extra skater with more than five minutes remaining. Ward hit the empty cage seconds later for a 4-0 Washington advantage.

Game Notes

Ovechkin has compiled 11 two-goal games this year, but his last hat trick occurred on Dec. 10, 2013 vs. Tampa Bay ... Washington's team captain became the only active player with seven seasons of 40-or-more goals since NHL returned in 2005-06 ... Toronto saw its scoreless streak on the road reach 162 minutes, 7 seconds, since a 2-1 loss on Feb. 20 at Carolina ... Prior to the game, the Capitals acquired forward Curtis Glencross from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a second-round and third-round draft pick in 2015.