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Caps edge Wings, inch closer to playoff berth

Braden Holtby, Stephen Weiss

Braden Holtby, Stephen Weiss

AP

The Washington Capitals moved closer to clinching a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

The Caps will clinch if Ottawa loses to the Toronto tonight.

Washington’s win moves them into second in the Metropolitan Division one point up on the New York Islanders.

Detroit’s loss leaves a log jam in the Atlantic Division as three points separate the Wings, Bruins and Sens.

Mike Green had a goal and an assist in the win. Evgeny Kuznetsov had Washington’s other goal. Braden Holtby, who made a franchise-high 23rd straight start, stopped 35 shots for the win. Holtby’s win was his 40th of the season and the 100th of his career.

The 25-year-old is the second goaltender in Caps’ history to record 40 wins in a single season joining Olaf Kolzig.

With his assist on Green’s goal, Alex Ovechkin has 80 points tying him for second place with John Tavares in the Art Ross race.

Darren Helm had the lone Wings goal. Petr Mrazek made 26 saves in the loss.

There was a scary moment in the third.

Protecting a one-goal lead, Caps’ forward Tom Wilson went down to block a Niklas Kronwall slap shot and took it off the side of the head. Wilson stayed down momentarily, but was able to skate off under his own strength. He left the game and did not return.

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