WASHINGTON — Braden Holtby's iron-man run produced another shutout as he made 21 saves in his 20th consecutive start and lifted the Washington Capitals to a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.
Holtby put up his fourth blank slate of the season, including three since he became too hot to rest. With Holtby in net, Jason Chimera's first-period goal was all the Capitals needed as they won for the 14th time in 19 games overall and for the seventh straight home game.
Holtby is 14-2-4 during his starting streak, and he hasn't allowed more than one goal in his last three games. He also played in his 26th connective game, extending his franchise record.
On Wednesday, Holtby squeezed his chest and left arm to stop a one-on-one attempt from Claude Giroux. He also reacted quickly to thwart Jakub Voracek after a turnover in the Capitals zone.
Holtby was nearly matched by Flyers goalie Rob Zepp, the 33-year-old rookie who filled in for the second straight game while Steve Mason is out because of an upper-body injury. Zepp made 25 saves, including a terrific left pad save on Eric Fehr late in the second period.
He never had a chance when Chimera redirected the puck after Matt Niskanen flung it toward the net from the blue line 3:13 into the game.
Flyers forward Scott Laughton didn't play in the third period after being leveled by Niskanen in open ice late in the second. The hit sent Laughton flying backward, his helmet flying off.
NOTES: Flyers D Carlo Colaiacovo returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the previous 26 games. He replaced Braydon Coburn, who could be sidelined for four weeks with a lower-body injury. ... Philadelphia has lost six consecutive road games. ... The Capitals snapped a four-game losing streak vs. the Flyers.