After missing his team's last 13 games with a lower-body injury, Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson was the hero in his first game back, scoring the game's only goal off a feed from Jason Chimera to clinch a 1-0 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils.

The game-winning point shot was Carlson's first goal of 2016. He last scored on Dec. 17, as the lingering lower-body injury has now cost him 26 games this season.

His goal spoiled a 159:34-second shutout streak for Devils goalie Scott Wedgewood - the second-longest by a rookie goalie in Devils history. Playing in just his third NHL game, the 23-year-old amazed once again by stopping 25 of 26 shots in the losing effort on Friday.

Capitals goalie Braden Holtby made 22 saves for the shutout, picking up his 45th win. He's only three behind Brodeur's single-season record of 48.

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Win No. 45 came in style for Braden Holtby.

The Washington Capitals goaltender posted his third shutout of the season Friday night in a 1-0 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils, and became only the sixth goalie in NHL history to win 45 or more games in a season.

Holtby made 22 saves, winning his sixth game in March. As you can see above, he's three wins behind legend Martin Brodeur's record of 48 wins. And Holtby's played in only 60 games.

With nine games left in Washington's season, Holtby is poised to top Brodeur's record and become the first goalie to win 50 games in a season.

Forty-five wins is very impressive, but that Holtby has only lost nine games in regulation speaks volumes about the season he and the Capitals have had.

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Trouble for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Underrated defenseman Anton Stralman had to be helped to the dressing room in the first period against the New York Islanders after going down awkwardly in front of his team's net, his left leg appearing to take most of the damage.

The Lightning announced after the first intermission that Stralman's done for the night with - you guessed it - a lower-body injury. He played 3:34.

Stralman has nine goals and 24 assists in 72 games, and averages over 22 minutes of ice time per contest. He's been a strong possession player throughout his nine-year career, and has found a home on the Lightning's blue line after stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers.

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If the Flyers make the playoffs, Steve Mason's probably not paying for another drink in Philadelphia.

Michal Neuvirth went down with a lower-body injury on March 20, and the onus has fallen on Mason in the crease since - and he's been incredible. The 27-year-old stopped 23 of 24 shots in a win Monday; stopped a career-high 51 shots in a shootout loss Wednesday, when his team let him down; and made 32 saves in a huge 4-2 win on the road Thursday in Denver.

Mason's stopped 106 of 111 shots in three games, including a back-to-back, good for a .955 save percentage. Even more impressive: he's done it on the road. The Flyers are currently on a huge four-game swing, with one more stop Saturday in Phoenix.

Mason didn't skate Friday, according to CSN's Tim Panaccio, and is thought to be dealing with a sore left knee. The goaltender was icing up his knee after Thursday's game, but head coach Dave Hakstol said Mason is 100 percent fit and ready to go, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sam Carchidi added.

If Mason starts Saturday, it will be his 10th start in 11 games.

The Flyers are tied with the Detroit Red Wings with 85 points, but Philly officially holds the East's second wild-card spot because the club's played one fewer game, 73 to Detroit's 74.

The Flyers play four games next week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at home against the Jets, Capitals, and Senators respectively. They'll be in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. A huge game with the Red Wings looms on Wednesday, April 6.

It's the best time of year.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Dalton Prout to a two-year contract extension, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced Friday.

The 26-year-old matched a career high with his eighth point of the season Thursday. He has three assists in four games since serving a one-game suspension earlier in March.

Prout was selected by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round of the 2010 draft.

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The Buffalo Sabres signed forward Eric Cornel to an entry-level contract, the team announced Friday.

The 19-year-old was selected by the Sabres in the second round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He recently completed his fourth OHL season with the Peterborough Petes, recording a career-best 83 points in 68 games.

This week, the Sabres signed a pair of college players to entry-level contracts, forward Hudson Fasching and defenseman Casey Nelson, who will both make their NHL debuts Saturday.

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