MONTREAL — Washington Capitals Coach Barry Trotz admitted he was “grasping at straws” to name who played well in the team’s 3-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens. After 33 saves, goaltender Braden Holtby was a no-brainer. He praised defenseman Nate Schmidt. And there was also Tom Wilson.
Wilson had given Washington a crucial 1-0 lead when he scored on the fourth line’s first shift of the game, a wrister from the front edge of the right faceoff circle. It was his second goal in as many games after he needed 23 games this season for this first one.