Hurricanes 3, Capitals 0
Anton Khudobin posted his fourth career shutout as Carolina extended its home winning streak to three games.
Defenseman Brett Bellemore and Jeff Skinner scored while Nathan Gerbe added an empty-net goal for the Hurricanes, who improved to 13-7-3 since the beginning of January. Andrej Nestrasil notched a pair of assists and Khudobin made half of his 28 saves in the second period as he registered his first blanking of the season.
Braden Holtby turned aside 35 shots for the Capitals, who suffered their third consecutive loss. Washington failed on its lone power-play opportunity as it remained three points behind Pittsburgh for the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
Carolina gave Khudobin all the offensive support he needed late in the first period. Bellemore unleashed a wrist shot from the right point that made it through a screen and past Holtby with 2:39 left in the session for his first goal of the season.
Skinner doubled the lead - and extended his goal-scoring streak to three games - midway through the second. Elias Lindholm grabbed a loose puck below the left faceoff circle and dished it to Skinner, who beat Holtby from the inner edge at 10:15.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Skinner's goal was his 16th of the season, drawing him within two of captain Eric Staal for the team lead. ... The Capitals have lost three in a row for the first time since dropping four straight from Jan. 16-27. ... The Hurricanes have allowed a total of two goals during their home winning streak.