Capitals 1, Penguins 0
All-Star Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal and Michal Neuvirth made
39 saves for his third career shutout as the Washington Capitals
extended their winning streak in Pittsburgh to five games Monday with a
1-0 victory over the Penguins.
Rookie Marcus Johansson and Mike Knuble each recorded an assist for the
Capitals, who completed a 3-2 road trip and pulled within one point of
idle Tampa Bay for first place in the Southeast Division.
Washington cashed in during its third power play of the game to snap the
scoreless tie with 3:22 remaining in the second period. Johansson dished the puck to Ovechkin, who one-timed a
blast from the right point past All-Star Marc-Andre Fleury for his
team-leading 24th goal of the season and third in four games.
Neuvirth turned aside 18 shots in the first period, seven in the second
and 14 in the third en route to his third shutout of the season and
second straight against Pittsburgh. The 22-year old also blanked the
Penguins at home on Feb. 6.
Fleury made 23 saves for Pittsburgh, which has lost six of its last
eight games. Newcomers James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen, who were
acquired from Dallas earlier in the day, were not in the Penguins'
lineup.