Oilers 2, Capitals 1
Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 34 shots as the Edmonton Oilers shaded Washington 2-1 Thursday, ending the Capitals' season-opening seven-game winning streak.
Khabibulin continued his hot start to the season, improving to 4-0-2. The 38-year-old has allowed one goal or fewer in five of six games.
After finding themselves in penalty trouble through the first two periods, the Capitals peppered Khabibulin with shots over the final 20 minutes. Defenseman Dennis Wideman had the best chance to tie the game, hitting the inside of the left post with just over four minutes remaining in regulation.
A late Edmonton penalty gave Washington a 6-on-4 advantage in the final minute, but the Capitals couldn't convert the equalizer.
Washington's Karl Alzner opened the scoring with his first of the season on a power play at 5:36. The veteran defenseman gathered the puck in at the blue line before firing a shot past a Joel Ward screen and over Khabibulin's left shoulder.
Edmonton took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play to even the score with 1:45 remaining in the period. Taylor Hall converted a sensational three-way passing play by tapping a one-timer into an open net for his second goal of the year.
Jordan Eberle put Edmonton ahead on the power play at 12:44, one-timing a pass from Corey Potter low past Washington netminder Tomas Vokoun.