NHL scores 2017: Capitals unable to overcome early deficit in first home loss of 2017

Like all hot streaks this season, the Capitals’ 15-game home winning streak came to a screeching halt against the Stars on Monday.

In a game that had the makings of a blowout, Washington went down by three goals early but was able to recover slightly before being bested 4-2 by Dallas. To the Capitals’ credit, they doubled up the Stars in shots by a whopping 44-22, but were let down by their goaltending.

The normally stalwart Braden Holtby had his first real misstep in goal in nearly a month, allowing three goals on 11 shots in the game’s first half.

Considering how hot the Capitals have been in the 2017 calendar year, Holtby was bound to have a clunker of a game eventually. The Verizon Center had been a sanctuary for the Capitals over the last few months, as they hadn’t lost a game there since late December of 2016.

All good things must come to an end, though. It was a streak unlikely to last forever, and unfortunately for Washington it came in a game in which their offense was churning out shots.

Stars 4, Capitals 2
Senators 4, Bruins 2
Rangers 1, Lightning 0 (OT)
Sharks 3, Jets 2

1. Ottawa keeps their divisional lead over Bruins

The Senators have done well for themselves out of the gate since the end of the NHL trade deadline. Ottawa has won three in a row, gotten key offensive production from new acquisition Alex Burrows, and is holding its lead over the Bruins in the Atlantic. Monday’s win gives the Senators a four-point lead over the Bruins with two games in hand, and the victory is key in keeping Boston away from that second-place spot.

A disappointment for sure on the Bruins side, for being unable to take points away from a divisional rival in a key matchup.

2. Antti Raanta just stole a win for the Rangers

Only one goal was scored in the tilt between the Rangers and Lightning on Monday. A big reason for New York’s 1-0 overtime shutout? Raanta shut the door on the Lightning with 38 saves on the evening. Seriously, just look at this possession chart and give me a reason other than Raanta as to why the Rangers won.

Good backups steal games, and Raanta just gave the Rangers a big one.

3. The Jets’ missed opportunity was the Sharks’ gain

San Jose padded their Pacific Division lead with a 3-2 win in Winnipeg. The Jets, meanwhile, were unable to come up with the offense necessary to get themselves within one point of a wild card spot. Plus, the Jets have fewer games in hand than the Kings and Blues — who are both fighting for that spot — and could have really used a win on Monday.

Instead, it was the Sharks coming away with a win, which keeps them in first place in the Pacific. Missed opportunities abound.

Mika Zibanejad had the lone goal in the Rangers’ win in overtime. Pretty clutch.

Joe Thornton hit 1,000 assists with an empty netter in the Sharks’ 3-2 win. One of the best passers of our lifetime.