Ducks shut out by Ovechkin-less Capitals – Orange County Register

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer

WASHINGTON — Ethan Bear scored his first NHL goal in almost exactly a year, Darcy Kuemper stopped all 24 shots he faced and the Washington Capitals handed the Ducks their eighth loss in the past 10 games, 2-0, on Tuesday night.

Bear’s goal with 37.8 seconds left in the first period came in his ninth game with the Capitals after signing with them in December. The defenseman, who spent the summer and fall rehabbing from shoulder surgery, last scored on Jan. 15, 2023.

Kuemper’s shutout is his first this season and 31st of his 12-year career. He didn’t have a lot of action early, as the Ducks had just three shots in a sleepy first period that featured a spirited fight between a couple of 6-foot-5 combatants: the Ducks’ Ross Johnston and Washington’s Joel Edmundson.

Wearing a full face shield to protect his broken nose, Tom Wilson sealed Washington’s third win in five games with an empty-net goal with 57.6 seconds remaining. The Capitals are staying afloat despite being without captain Alex Ovechkin, who has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury.

John Gibson made 26 saves in net for the Ducks, who have lost eight of 10. Gibson got the start on back-to-back days after playing Monday in an overtime win at Florida.

The Ducks’ Radko Gudas missed the game with an injury, 30 hours after his return to Florida. Gudas helped the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final last season before signing with the Ducks as a free agent.