Senators Vs. Capitals: Thoughts From Inside Locker Room After Caps' 2-1 Win over Senators

Nicklas Backstrom on scoring his first goal since March in the first period: "Unbelievable."

Bruce Boudreau on the improving play of Tomas Vokoun: "I just thought the first game wasn't so good, the second was really good and tonight was really, really good. I just hope he keeps adding one of those 'really's' into every game."

Roman Hamrlik on becoming the leader in games played by a Czech-born player: "It feels good. When I started playing, I never thought that I can make it and I've played so many games, but the most important thing is that we have two points tonight. And you know, that was just another game for me. There have been lots of games and hopefully more coming."

Marcus Johansson on his first period goal: "I was looking for [Alexander Semin] in the middle and I couldn't find him, so I was just trying to get to the net. Sometimes it works."

Senators Vs. Capitals: Washington Defeats Ottawa 2-1, Remains Unbeaten

The Washington Capitals (4-0-0) continued their strong start to the 2011-12 National Hockey League season, remaining unbeaten in four games with a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators (1-4-0) at the Verizon Center Saturday night.

Nicklas Backstrom scored a power play goal in the first period, his first goal in almost seven months, and Marcus Johannson netted his second goal of the season in the first period as well to give Washington a 2-1 lead. The lead, and score, held for the rest of the game thanks to the real star of the game, Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun.

Vokoun stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced, outdueling Alex Auld of Ottawa, who allowed two of the 26 shots he faced to find the back of the net. After allowing one goal on eight Ottawa shots in the first period, Vokoun stopped all 26 shots he faced in the second and third periods.

Washington will look to continue their early season winning ways when they face the Florida Panthers (1-1-0) at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night at the Verizon Center.

Senators Vs. Capitals: Ottawa Takes Control, But Washington Still Leads 2-1

The score after two periods is still 2-1, but the Ottawa Senators definitely had the edge in momentum in the middle frame against the Washington Capitals.

The Senators outshot the Caps 12-4 in the second as they took advantage of Washington's sloppy play. Tomas Vokoun's steady goaltending kept the Caps in the lead.

Ottawa has scored 10 of its 13 goals in the third period this season, while Washington has blown a third period lead in each game this season. It should make for an interesting final 20 minutes.

Senators Vs. Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom Breaks Goal Drought As Caps Lead Senators 2-1

For the first time in almost seven months, Nicklas Backstrom scored a goal, one which helped the Capitals earn a 2-1 lead over the Senators after 20 minutes.

The Senators thought they had taken an early 1-0 lead on the power play as Jason Spezza put the puck past a scrambling Tomas Vokoun, Yet, the goal did not count as the referee ruled that Milan Michalek interfered with Vokoun in the crease.

The Caps, however, did not miss on their first power play chance. After failing to set up in the offensive zone for most of it, the Caps finally settled down. Mike Green sent the puck from the point to Mike Knuble behind the net. Knuble found Alexander Semin in front. Semin then sent a quick pass across the crease to Backstrom, who was all alone for the tap-in for his first goal of the season at 8:47. It was Backstrom's first goal since March 22, including the playoffs.

Marcus Johansson added to the lead at 12:01 when he took Mike Knuble's pass all the way as he sped through the offensive zone and beat Alex Auld with a wraparound goal. It was Johansson's second goal of the season.

The Senators were able to cut the lead in half as time ran out in the period. Peter Regin took advantage of a loose puck in front of the net and fired a sharp-angle wrist shot past Vokoun for his first goal of the season at 19:34.

Shots are 14-8 in favor of Washington.

Senators Vs. Capitals: Tomas Vokoun To Start, Michal Neuvirth Practicing

BALLSTON, Va. - Based on Saturday's morning skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the Washington Capitals' lineup against the Ottawa Senators should look like this:

Ovechkin - Backstrom - Brouwer

Semin - Johansson - Knuble

Chimera - Laich - Ward

Hendricks - Halpern - Perreault - King

Tomas Vokoun will get the start for the third consecutive game, while Dany Sabourin, called up Saturday from AHL Hershey, will back him up. Mathieu Perreault stayed out on the ice longer than any forward, usually denoting a healthy scratch. Yet, head coach Bruce Boudreau said that both Perreault and D.J. King will take warm-ups before Saturday's game and a game-time decision will be made on who plays.

Michal Neuvirth did not join his teammates when Saturday's morning skate began, but did participate later on, stretching and taking shots from teammates. Neuvirth seemed to be moving gingerly as he performed drills, but Boudreau noted that it was his first time on the ice in four days.

"It's his first time on the ice," Boudreau said. "All it is is taking it slow. Don't read anything more into it than it is."

Boudreau also provided an update on Jay Beagle, who did not skate Saturday and hasn't since leaving Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins after his fight with Arron Asham.

"We're just being overly cautious," Boudreau said. "If Jay had his way, he'd be out there practicing. He's fine, all the things are fine."

Senators Vs. Capitals: Caps Hope To Remain Unbeaten Against Struggling Senators

Through three games this season, the Washington Capitals have gone to overtime en route to three wins. With a 3-0-0 record, the Caps look to avoid overtime and remain undefeated Saturday against the Ottawa Senators at Verizon Center.

Thursday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins was yet another chapter in an intense rivalry. Dennis Wideman scored the game-winning goal in a game marred by controversy as a fight between Jay Beagle and Arron Asham has become a hot topic of discussion. Beagle did not return after the third period fight, but "other than a fat lip," he is fine, according to head coach Bruce Boudreau.

In other injury news, Michal Neuvirth did not practice Friday, but Boudreau said that he's "getting better" and could practice Saturday. Neuvirth has not played since last Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, the 1-3-0 Senators enter Saturday's game after an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Ottawa is allowing 5.25 GA/G, highest in the NHL.

Senators Vs. Capitals: Michal Neuvirth 'Getting Better', Expected To Practice Saturday

Michal Neuvirth did not practice Friday, but head coach Bruce Boudreau expects him to return to practice Saturday.