The Capitals are the top team in the East. For the first time in five years, the Washington Capitals left the ice at Scotiabank Arena with two points. And while it wasn't the prettiest win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was hard-earned. Nic Dowd had a goal and assist, Connor McMichael scored the game-winner, and Charlie Lindgren stood tall en route to a key 3-1 victory for the Capitals. Here are all the takeaways from the team's first win in Toronto since before the pandemic, which also marked the team's franchise-record eighth consecutive road win. DOWD STAYS HOT, PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF AS MCMICHAEL HELPS OFFENSE BREAK THROUGH Washington was getting some good chances early on, but at times, the Capitals overpassed and tried to do too much as it proved difficult to solve Anthony Stolarz. Though Nic Dowd got D.C. on the board first on a deflection, the team struggled to track loose pucks and follow through on plays. And despite shots on goal, the chances just weren't dropping through the first half of the game. Those struggles carried over onto the man advantage, despite its recent surge. The Capitals went 0-for-4 on the power play, and even at critical times, the team couldn't seem to get any kind of sustained pressure going, let alone enter the zone cleanly or keep the puck in. Ultimately, though, perseverance paid off, as Pierre-Luc Dubois forced a turnover by Auston Matthews, which set up Connor McMichael for a game-winning layup to make it 2-1. It marked McMichael's team-leading 15th goal of the season. Aliaksei Protas ultimately iced the game with an empty-netter. It hasn't always been pretty without Alex Ovechkin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-alex-ovechkin-continues-recovery-broken-leg], but at the end of the day, D.C. is finding ways to win, and the team certainly doesn't mind doing things the hard way. LINDGREN STANDS TALL AS WASHINGTON CONTAINS LEAFS STARS, THOUGH TURNOVERS & BREAKAWAYS AN ISSUE It was a giveaway-heavy game for both sides, as both teams coughed up the puck from time to time. Luckily for Washington, it only cost the team one goal, as a turned-over puck to Chris Tanev led to a breakaway and highlight-reel goal for John Tavares in the second. Other than that, Charlie Lindgren [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-goaltender-inteference-gray-area-nhl-charlie-lindgren-take] was sharp and came up big several times as he shut down William Nylander and more. Lindgren finished the night with 20 saves (.952 save percentage), including a game-saving glove stop on Tavares in the final two minutes of regulation. He has won five of his last six starts. The Capitals also did a good job of containing Auston Matthews [https://thehockeynews.com/news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-probably-wont-win-the-rocket-richard-but-he-could-win-another-nhl-award] as they prevented him from gaining speed and generating a lot of high-quality chances. And, other than Tavares, no other key Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] found the scoresheet. Overall, Washington played a smart game and a full 60 minutes, which ultimately led the team to two huge points. SAMMI'S TOP SHELF TAKES - With his game-winner, McMichael is up to 12 goals at 5-on-5 this season, tied for the most in the league. - Pierre-Luc Dubois picked up his 14th assist of the season and has three points in his last three games. - Tom Wilson has six points in his last six games. - The game marked Rasmus Sandin's first win against his former team and Spencer Carbery's first win coaching the Capitals against his former club.
