Red Wings end Braden Holtby's 14-game winning streak

DETROIT-- Braden Holtby's 14-game winning streak ended when Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings scored in the fifth round of the shootout for a 3-2 victory against the Washington Capitals at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday.
"I thought I was pretty sharp, but that's a desperate team, and they are tough in the shootout …," Holtby said. "I had [Zetterberg] set up, but my leg cramped up a little. It happens."

Holtby's streak ended three short of the NHL record set by Gilles Gilbert of the Boston Bruins in 1975-76. Six other goalies have won 14 in a row.
WATCH: All Capitals vs. Red Wings highlights
The Capitals (39-11-7) had won six in a row before a six-day break, and the 2 p.m. start meant they didn't get a morning skate. Coming into Saturday, NHL teams were 3-9-2 in their first game after their break.
"Your body feels great after the time off, but it took a while to get my mind adjusted back to game speed," Washington forward Lars Eller said. "I thought we were all a little slow in the first and second period and then we got going again."

Zetterberg slid a backhand through Holtby's five-hole to start the fifth round, and Petr Mrazek stopped Alex Ovechkin to end Detroit's five-game losing streak.
"It's always a special feeling to stop someone like that, especially on the last shot," Mrazek said.
The Red Wings (23-25-10), who hadn't won since Feb. 4 (1-0 against the Nashville Predators), are 7-0 in the shootout. Vanek, who scored in the first round, is an NHL-best 5-for-5, and Zetterberg is 3-for-3.

"Vanek and [Frans] Nielsen help us a lot," Zetterberg said. "We haven't been very good in shootouts in the past, but they are scoring and catching us up for those other years."
Nielsen gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 8:13 of the first period, knocking his rebound past Holtby for his 11th goal. Tomas Tatar put Detroit ahead 2-0 with his 13th at 3:33 of the second, converting Zetterberg's pass after Anthony Mantha's takeaway set up a 3-on-1.
Capitals rookie Zach Sanford scored for the second straight game to make it 2-1 at 18:36, finishing a quick three-man passing play in the Red Wings zone. The two goals were the first of Sanford's 22-game NHL career.

Daniel Winnik tied it 2-2 with 4:48 left in the third period, batting in T.J. Oshie's rebound for his eighth goal.
"I thought we picked things up in the third period, and it was nice to get a point out of this," Winnik said. "Our legs came back as the game went on."
Mrazek made 34 saves. Holtby finished with 21.

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Goal of the game

Mantha stripped Capitals defenseman John Carlson at center ice and broke into the Washington zone. Mantha waited for defenseman Nate Schmidt to commit, then slid a pass to Zetterberg, who dropped it to Tatar for an open shot.

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Saves of the game

With the Capitals trying to tie the game in the third period, Mrazek stopped Ovechkin then slid across the ice and kicked out his left pad to stop Eller from scoring on the rebound.

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Highlight of the game

In the shootout, Mrazek waited for Ovechkin to commit to his forehand then used his glove to knock away the shot.

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Unsung performance of the game

With the Red Wings protecting a 2-0 lead late in the second period, Carlson's slap shot trickled through Mrazek, but defenseman Xavier Ouellet cleared it from the crease before a Washington player could react.

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They said it

"We knew this was going to be a challenge coming off the break, and you could really tell on the passing. We were trying to catch the train a little bit." -- Capitals coach Barry Trotz
"This was a goaltending and special-teams win. Our kill was great, we scored on the power play, and our goaltending was great." -- Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill

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Need to know

Holtby had two no-decisions in his streak, which started with a 2-1 win against the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 1. He hadn't lost since Dec. 29 (2-1 in a shootout against the New Jersey Devils). ... The other goalies to win 14 consecutive games are Tiny Thompson, Bruins (1929-30); Ross Brooks, Bruins (1973-74); Don Beaupre, Minnesota North Stars (1985-86); Tom Barrasso, Pittsburgh Penguins (1992-93); Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks (2013-14); and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets (this season). ... Red Wings defenseman Mike Green (illness) was scratched and replaced by Ryan Sproul.

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What's next

Capitals: Visit the New York Rangers on Sunday (12:30 p.m. ET; NBC, NHL.TV)
Red Wings: Visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; NBC, NHL.TV)