Big third period lifts sizzling Capitals past Red Wings

The Washington Capitals scored three times in the third period to break a tie and defeated the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Dylan Strome had a goal and an assist and Pierre-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson and Connor McMichael also scored for the Capitals (45-15-8), who lead the Eastern Conference and have won seven of their past eight. Aliaksei Protas had two assists and Logan Thompson made 23 saves. Protas has 10 points (six goals and four assists) in his last six games.

Washington's Alex Ovechkin remained eight goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for goals with 887. Ovechkin had an assist.

Dylan Larkin supplied the goal for the Red Wings (32-30-6), who have lost eight of their last 10 and suffered a huge blow to their playoff chances. Petr Mrazek stopped 22 shots.

Dubois gave Washington a 2-1 lead 8:16 into the third period on a wrist shot from the left circle off the rush. Wilson scored his 30th goal with 5:39 left and McMichael added his goal with 4:33 remaining.

Thompson made an outstanding save on Alex DeBrincat's backhand shot from in front of the net 6:36 into the second period and again denied DeBrincat's forehand shot from just outside the crease 5:51 into the middle period.

It was DeBrincat's 600th game.

The game was tied 1-1 after the first.

Strome opened the scoring 6:36 into the game with a screened wrist shot from the right point that beat Mrazek high. It was Strome's 22nd goal and fourth in the last five games for Washington's leading scorer (45 assists, 67 points).

Larkin tied it with 7:32 left in the opening period. He put in the rebound of defenseman Ben Chiarot's shot off the rush for Larkin's 28th goal.

Thompson denied J.T. Compher on consecutive backhand shots from just outside the crease with 8:45 remining in the first and Mrazek, while prone in the crease, made a save with his right arm on Anthony Beauvillier with 5:30 left in the first period.

--Field Level Media