Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
WASHINGTON - Jason Chimera had a third-period goal and added an assist, goalie Braden Holtby made 29 saves, and the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 on Saturday night for their seventh straight win.
Center Evgeny Kuznetsov and right winger Jay Beagle also scored for Washington, which is 14-1-1 over its last 16 games.
The third period was scoreless until Chimera outskated Montreal defenseman Alexei Emelin for a loose puck and then lifted a shot past goalie Mike Condon for his 10th goal of the season.
Defenseman Nate Schmidt and right winger Tom Wilson had two assists apiece as Washington won a battle of Eastern Conference division leaders headed in opposite directions.
Left winger Daniel Carr scored for the Canadiens, losers of six straight and 10 of 11.
Montreal has managed just six goals over its last six games. The team's power-play struggles continued as well, as the Canadiens are 2-for-33 in their past 11 games.
Condon finished with 30 saves.
Washington improved to 18-0-0 when leading after the second period.
The Capitals failed to cash in on several scoring chances in the opening three minutes, but they took a 1-0 lead at 6:45 of the first period.
Kuznetsov successfully fought for position in front of the net and deflected Schmidt's shot past Condon for his 11th goal of the season. During his first full season with the Capitals in 2014-15, Kuznetsov scored 11 goals in 80 games.
Washington doubled its lead just 90 seconds into the second period when Beagle took a pass from right winger Tom Wilson near the left circle and fired a wrist shot over Condon's shoulder.
Just 24 seconds later, Montreal answered as Carr poked home the rebound of defenseman Andrei Markov's shot to make it 2-1.
Those were the only goals during a period in which the teams combined for 34 shots on net.
NOTES: Montreal is in the midst of a season-long, seven-game road trip, which continues Sunday at Tampa Bay. ... Washington was looking to win its eighth consecutive home game for the first time since winning 13 straight from Jan. 5 to March 6, 2010. ... The Capitals recalled D Connor Carrick from Hershey of the American Hockey League. He was a scratch along with RW Stanislav Galiev. D Brooks Orpik (lower-body injury) missed his 20th game this season. ... The Canadiens were without G Carey Price (lower body), RW Brendan Gallagher (hand) and D Tom Gilbert (lower body). D Greg Pateryn and RW Sven Andrighetto were scratches. ... Montreal C Lars Eller played his 400th NHL game.