Jared Spurgeon scores twice, Wild beat Capitals 4-2
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin, third from right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Matt Dumba (24), right wing Brandon Duhaime (21) and right wing Ryan Reaves, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Captain Jared Spurgeon scored twice, fellow defenseman Jonas Brodin also had a goal with traffic in front of the net and the Minnesota Wild beat the Washington Capitals 4-2 on Tuesday night to extend their winning streak to three games.
All three Wild goals came with a big forward setting a screen in front of Washington’s Charlie Lindgren: 6-foot-6 Jordan Greenway on Spurgeon’s first, 6-2 Ryan Reaves on Brodin’s and 6-2 Brandon Duhaime on Spurgeon’s second that put Minnesota ahead late in the second period. Reaves also had an assist, and Duhaime fought Nicolas Aube-Kubel.
Big bodies blocking Lindgren’s view compensated for the Wild being outshot 36-22 by the Capitals, who were playing the second half of a back to back after rallying to win in overtime Monday at the New York Islanders. The Wild erased multiple deficits in this one and sealed it with an empty-netter from Joel Eriksson Ek to get their trip off to a strong start.
Filip Gustavsson made 24 saves, including a right-heel kick stop with the puck on the goal line in the final minutes, validating the coaching staff’s decision to start him instead of going back to three-time Stanley Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury.
___
AP NHL: www.apnews.com/hub/NHL and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports