Capitals 2, Canadiens 0
Marco Sturm and Alexander Semin each recorded a goal and an assist while rookie Braden Holtby made 18 saves as the visiting Washington Capitals posted a 2-0 victory over the offensively challenged Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Nicklas Backstrom notched two assists for the Southeast Division-leading Capitals, who concluded a 4-2 road trip with their 12th win in 14 games overall.
All-Star Carey Price stopped 31 shots for Montreal, which was shut out for the third straight time and ninth overall this season. The Canadiens have gone 186 minutes, 5 seconds without a goal.
Early in the first period, Backstrom carried the puck into the offensive zone and unleashed a shot from the right faceoff circle that Price stopped. Sturm buried the rebound at 1:24 for his first goal in 17 games, including 13 with Washington.
Semin added breathing room with 3:41 remaining in the third when he converted a cross-slot pass from the bottom of the left circle by Backstrom for his 26th of the season.
Holtby turned aside three shots in the first period, eight in the second and seven in the third for his second shutout in five games.