Capitals 3, Devils 0
Mike Knuble recorded two goals and an assist, defenseman Jeff Schultz scored for the first time in over a year and Michal Neuvirth made 33 saves as the Washington Capitals skated to a 3-0 road victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
All-Star Alex Ovechkin notched a pair of assists for the Capitals, who have won 10 of their last 11 games overall and nine of 12 on the road. Washington also pulled into a tie with idle Philadelphia for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Schultz opened the scoring at 6:10 of the first period. The 25-year-old one-timed Knuble's pass from behind the net past Martin Brodeur from the top of the slot for his first goal since Feb. 11, 2010.
Knuble doubled the lead with four minutes remaining in the second, converting defenseman Karl Alzner's feed from the right faceoff circle for his third tally in four games. The veteran completed his first two-goal performance of the season with 8:36 to play in the third, rifling a shot from the right circle past Brodeur.
Neuvirth stopped 12 shots in the first period, eight in the second and 13 in the third for his fourth shutout both this season and in his career.
Brodeur made nine saves for New Jersey, which fell to 12-2-1 in its last 15 home games. The Devils have lost consecutive games for the first time since a four-game skid from Jan. 1-8.