Capitals 2, Hurricanes 1
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Goalie Philipp Grubauer made 31 saves and the Washington Capitals continued their strong play by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Monday at PNC Arena.
Center Michael Latta and left winger Jason Chimera scored for the Capitals (25-6-2), who won their sixth straight game as part of the best start in franchise history.
Right winger Kris Versteeg scored 2:18 into the third period for the Hurricanes.
Grubauer, playing for only the third game in a month's time, improved to 4-2-1 this season. He stopped 12 shots in each the first and third periods.
Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward stopped 19 shots.
The Hurricanes (13-16-5) pulled Ward with about two minutes to play and had a power play for the last 31 seconds after the Capitals were penalized for too many men on the ice.
The Capitals scored eight consecutive goals in two games combined after their six-game spree to end Sunday's comeback victory against the New York Rangers and the first two goals Monday.
Grubauer was working on a shutout until Versteeg struck with a between-the-legs shot from near the side of the net that was a highlight-worthy sequence. Versteeg has five goals this season, with three coming this month.
Latta opened the scoring when he began a rush from the neutral zone and finished the sequence with a redirect from in front of the net.
It was Latta's third goal of the season and second in the last four games.
Other than Latta's first-period goal, the Hurricanes had to feel good about how they dictated the pace at times. They held a 12-7 edge in shots through the first period.
Chimera gave the Capitals a 2-0 edge in the second period. He gained position in front of the net and deflected the puck past Ward.
NOTES: The Capitals have scored seven goals three times this season before Monday, including Sunday night at the New York Rangers. ... LW Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals normally excels against Carolina, entering the game with 74 points in 62 career games with the Hurricanes. ... LW Chris Terry of the Hurricanes played in his 100th career game, all with Carolina. ... D Michal Jordan rejoined the Hurricanes after a conditioning stint with the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers. He scored three goals in four games while with Charlotte, but he was a scratch Monday. ... The Capitals went without a pregame morning skate for the second day in a row. ... The Capitals and Hurricanes meet again in Raleigh, N.C., on New Year's Eve. ... Both teams are off until Saturday, with the Capitals at home against the Montreal Canadiens and the Hurricanes at home against the New Jersey Devils.