Capitals 3, Devils 1
Jason Chimera's shorthanded goal early in the third period put Washington ahead to stay and the visiting Capitals snapped the New Jersey Devils' three-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory Friday night.
Alex Ovechkin scored his seventh goal and Marcus Johansson added an insurance tally midway through the third period as Washington halted a two-game losing streak.
Tomas Vokoun turned aside 32 shots for the Capitals, who will host New Jersey on Saturday in the second of a home-and-home series.
Devils netminder Martin Brodeur made 17 saves in dropping his fifth straight decision to Washington, his longest current losing streak against any team.
Chimera weaved through almost the entire New Jersey team before beating Brodeur for the game-winner at 2:27 of the third.
Defenseman Mike Green returned to Washington's lineup after missing six games, but he re-injured his right ankle in a first-period collision with Ryan Carter.
Rookie defenseman Adam Larsson, the fourth overall pick in June's draft, put the Devils ahead at 13:06 of the opening session with a blast under inside the right faceoff circle that beat Vokoun glove side. Assisting on the goal were Dainius Zubrus in his 1,000th career game and Patrik Elias, who extended his points streak to six games.