The Longueuil, Que. The home team made it to Saturday night with two goals in 34 seconds and two assists as the Capitals crushed the Canadiens 8-4 at the Bell Center. “It’s very good (for confidence), especially in games like Montreal,” Mantha said. “My family and friends are here, I look forward to seeing them. I will try to continue in this course and gain as much confidence for the playoffs “. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said injuries like Mantha’s have recovery periods where “there is no light at the end of the tunnel”. The veteran coach was happy to see the 27-year-old play in view of his team’s home campaign in the regular season. “It’s very good to have him back because of his size, the way you can be physically fit, the level of his skills and the way he can contribute to our team when he is in the game,” he said. “It’s nice to see him come back and get in rhythm and be able to contribute.” The Capitals (42-23-10) started a five-game road trip with a 7-3 defeat by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but were redeemed with a bunch of goals in Montreal. Along with Mantha, Washington had five scorers: Nic Dowd, Alexander Ovechkin, Garnet Hathaway, Justin Schultz, TJ Oshie and Dmitry Orlov. The Russian blue added three assists to his accounts. Vitek Vanacek made 28 saves. “We had some kids having big nights,” Laviolette said. “But I think everyone was looking for a little redemption from the last game where we did not play the way we wanted.” Despite an emotional game on Friday night that saw Carey Price return between the tubes, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis was happy with his team’s first season. Ryan Poehling scored twice, Jake Evans and Nick Suzuki added goals. Samuel Montembeault made 32 saves. For St. Louis, Mantha’s two goals in the four-on-four were difficult to return. “We went four-on-four and scored two goals, Washington is good with the venues,” said St. Louis. “I will put the blame for this because, honestly, I can not say that we worked a lot on four-a-four concepts. “These goals have hurt us.” Montreal (20-45-11) recovered early in the third period with Poehling’s second of the night, but Washington responded, leaving the Habs with a five-game losing streak. “The fifth goal hurt, the bubble burst at that moment,” said St. Louis. “There is little hope when we make it 4-3, but they make it 5-3 in the next change, the bubble bursts and it is difficult to get back in the game. “You saw it in the third, their players were confident and moved the bench well.” Dowd gave the Capitals an early lead by blocking Orlov’s shot from his stick at 12:23 in the first period. Evans equalized the score at 1:56 of the second period with a shot from the top of the right round face off. Mantha scored two consecutive goals to regain the lead. For recovered the rebound from his own shot to score his first night. He then beat Montembeault with a shot on the wrist 34 seconds later to give Washington a two-goal lead. Montreal reduced their deficit to one goal when Jeff Petry and Poehling combined in one meter. Washington scored back with two goals when Ovechkin, who was left alone in the slot, scored his 47th mark of the season. Poehling scored his second goal of the night, lifting a loose elf into the reception and defeating a detached Vanacek. Washington responded with three unanswered goals. Hathaway scored his 13th goal of the season. Orloff added the sixth goal of the Capitals from the high position. Eventually, Schultz’s shot went wide of David Savard’s stick and went past Montebo. Suzuki’s 20th goal of the season came at 14:53 in the third period. Oshie’s power-play goal in the last 16:35 of the last frame sealed the victory of Washington.
