Zach Fucale notched a shutout in his NHL debut, leading the Washington Capitals to a 2-0 win over the host Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Fucale, who was recalled from the Hershey Bears of the AHL on Wednesday, stopped 21 shots as Washington won for the second straight game after a three-game losing streak. Fucale, 26, was a second-round draft pick in 2013 by the Montreal Canadiens.
Dmitry Orlov and Lars Eller scored for the Capitals in a 10-second span during the first period. Alex Ovechkin remained tied with Brett Hull for fourth place on the all-time goal scoring list, though he did have an assist. Ovechkin, who ranks second in the NHL with 11 goals, did not have a shot on goal.
Washington’s shutout was its second of the season. Both teams went 0-for-4 on the power play. The Capitals were credited with 15 blocks, including five by Orlov, compared to eight by the Red Wings.
Thomas Greiss made 27 saves for Detroit, which saw its three-game winning streak end. Dylan Larkin had a team-high four shots on goal.
The Capitals scored their first goal at 12:43 of the opening period. Evgeny Kuznetsov passed the puck from behind the Red Wings’ net, and Orlov one-timed it past Greiss. Ovechkin picked up the second assist.
Washington scored moments later after a Detroit giveaway at center ice. Nick Jensen picked up the puck and passed it to Eller, who beat Greiss through the five-hole.
Both teams had five-on-three advantages during the second period but couldn’t convert. Washington outshot Detroit 12-4 during the period.
The Capitals were playing the first game of a back-to-back set. They will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
Detroit was playing the third game of a four-game homestand. The Red Wings will close out their homestand against Montreal on Saturday before embarking on a four-game road trip that begins on Monday in Columbus.
The Red Wings were shut out 3-0 by Calgary on Oct. 21 and 3-0 by Montreal on Nov. 2.
–Field Level Media
